Abstract
The adsorption of O2 and CO on the (110) face of a Cu/Ni alloy (55 at% Cu) has been studied by means of low energy electron diffraction (LEED), Auger electron spectroscopy, work function measurements, and flash desorption. A comparison with the behavior of Cu(110) and Ni(110) is made. It is shown that the height of an Auger peak is proportional to the surface concentration of the corresponding species and that the surface composition of the alloy is identical with the composition of the bulk. Adsorption of oxygen leads to the formation of an ordered 2 × 1 structure, as is the case for Cu(110) and Ni(110). Further exposure causes disordered adsorption in contrast to the pure components where c6 × 2 respectively 3 × 1 structures are formed. Oxygen increases the work function of Cu and Cu/Ni by about 0.25 eV whereas for Ni the increase is > 1 eV. CO is not irreversibly adsorbed on Cu at 25°C, but forms a stable 1 × 1 structure on Ni(110). With the alloy two ordered phases (2 × 1 and 2 × 2) are observed. The flash desorption spectrum shows three maxima which are similar to the binding states of CO on Ni(110) and Ni(100). The results are discussed in view of the electronic structure of Cu/Ni alloys and the parameters influencing the configuration of adsorbed particles.
