Probing reaction dynamics at metal surfaces with H2 diffraction.

FARÍAS, D.; BUSNENGO, H.F.; MARTÍN, F.

JOURNAL OF PHYSICS CONDENSED MATTER

Año: 2007 vol. 19 p. 305003 - 305320

0953-8984

We review recent experimental and theoretical work aimed to understandthe reaction dynamics of hydrogen molecules at metal surfaces. Diffractionexperiments and calculations using ab initio determined six-dimensionalpotential energy surfaces were carried out on several single-crystal surfaces:NiAl(110), Pt(111), Pd(111) and Pd(110). We discuss the general trendsobserved in the energy range studied (20–150 meV) when going from non-reactive to very reactive surfaces as well as specific features of the dynamicswhich can be seen in diffraction studies.