The Dynamic Atom-Probe: Past, Present, and Perspectives.

Area of Science:

• Surface science
• Catalysis
• Materials science

Background:

• 1D-atom probe experiments offer detailed surface analysis.
• Studying surface reaction kinetics under varying conditions is crucial for catalyst development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate the information accessible via 1D-atom probe experiments combined with pulsed field desorption mass spectrometry (PFDMS) and video-field ion microscopy.
• To investigate the microkinetics of nickel tetracarbonyl formation and nitric oxide decomposition on platinum under electrocatalytic conditions.

Main Methods:

• Utilized 1D-atom probe experiments with PFDMS and video-field ion microscopy.
• Probed surface areas of stepped Ni (001) and Pt (111) samples under elevated gas pressures and variable electric fields.
• Investigated surface reaction kinetics of CO with Ni and NO with H on Pt.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated variable pulse frequencies to inform kinetic and mechanistic details of surface reactions.
• Revealed field-induced processes impacting the NO-H reaction mechanism on platinum.
• Identified new reaction pathways not available under purely thermal conditions.

Conclusions:

• PFDMS combined with field ion microscopy provides rich data on surface reaction kinetics.
• Electric fields can induce novel reaction pathways in catalytic processes.
• Technical achievements in PFDMS may guide future dynamic atom probe tomography instrumentation.