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Abstract

The interaction among adsorbed atoms and molecules (adspecies) on metal surfaces plays a decisive role in catalytic reactions. Such interaction may cause structural changes of the local adsorption geometry which, together with spectroscopic and energetic data, may afford useful physical and chemical insights into the basic mechanisms of surface processes. When the adsorption geometry of a single adspecies is considered as a function of coverage, a deeper understanding of the nature of the adsorbate-substrate bonding can be obtained. Depending on the adsorbate coverage, the magnitude of adsorbate-induced relaxations and reconstructions vary widely. Occasionally, chemisorption systems transform gradually into adsorbate-substrate compounds, such as oxides, nitrides, hydrides, and sulfides. For the case of adsorption of different adspecies, coadsorption, structural data can make a vital contribution to our understanding of reaction intermediates, the promotion effect in heterogeneously catalyzed reactions, and the formation of ultra-thin compound films.