How Adsorbed Oxygen Atoms Inhibit Hydrogen Dissociation on Tungsten Surfaces

Hydrogen molecules dissociate on clean W(110) surfaces. This reaction is progressively inhibited as the tungsten surface is precovered with oxygen. We use density functional theory and ab initio molecular dynamics to rationalize, at the atomic scale, the influence of the adsorbed O atoms on the H₂ dissociation process. The reaction probability is calculated for kinetic energies below 300 meV and different O nominal coverages. We show that the adsorbed O atoms act as repulsive centers that modulate the dynamics of the impinging H₂ molecules by closing dissociation pathways. In agreement with existing experimental information, H₂ dissociation is absent for an O coverage of half a monolayer. The results show that the influence of O adsorbates on the dissociation dynamics on W(110) goes much beyond the blocking of possible H adsorption sites. Adsorbed O atoms create a sort of chemical shield at the surface that prevents further approach and dissociation of the H₂ molecules.