Reactive adsorption of H2CO on Ni(110) at 95 K

Abstract
The reactions of H2CO on a clean Ni(110) surface have been studied by high resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS) and temperature programmed reactionspectroscopy (TPRS). At 95 K, H2CO adsorbs reactively, producing CO(a), CH3O(a), H(a), and small amounts of paraformaldehyde. Upon thermal treatment the CH3O decomposes to CO(a) and hydrogen while the paraformaldehyde reacts to form a surface intermediate which subsequently decomposes to CO2(g) and H2(g) at 350 K. Coadsorbed D2 is not incorporated into the CH3O(a) suggesting the methoxy is formed via a disproportionation reaction. Mixed paraformaldehyde and solid H2CO multilayers are formed at high exposures.