Abstract
The kinetics of the catalytic decomposition of HCOOH, HCOOD and DCOOD at a clean GaAs (110)-surface has been studied by means of a mass spectrometer at low pressures (p < 10-5 Torr). Reaction products are hydrogen, water, formaldehyde, CO and CO2 which are formed with an activation energy of 23 kcal/mole. All products are formed in first order reactions. No variation of the activation energy with deuterated reactants and no influence of illumination on the activity could be detected. A reaction mechanism is proposed wherafter the decompsition of adsorbed formic acid molecules is the ratelimiting step.
