title: K-stabilized high-oxygen-coverage states on Rh(110): a low-pressure pathway to formation of surface oxide.
abstract: Using scanning tunneling microscopy, low-energy electron diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, we studied the evolution of the structure and chemical state of a Rh(110) surface, modified by K adlayers and exposed to high O2 doses at elevated temperatures. We find that oxygen coadsorption on the K-covered Rh(110) leads to massive reconstruction of the Rh(110) surface. Stable reconstructed (10 x 2) and (8 x 2) segmented phases with a local coverage of more than two oxygen atoms per surface Rh atom were observed. Formation of surface oxide, which coexists with the (10 x 2) and (8 x 2) segmented adsorption phases, is evidenced at the highest O2 doses. The development of strongly reconstructed adsorption phases with oxide-like stoichiometry and surface oxide under UHV conditions is explained in terms of the stabilization of the (1 x 2) reconstruction and promotion of O2 dissociation by the K adatoms.
authors.affiliation: Department Chemie, Ludwig-Maximilians Universtät München, Butenandtstrasse 11 Haus E, 81377 München, Germany. sebastian.gunther@elettra.trieste.it
authors.forename: Sebastian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Günther
authors.forename: Friedrich
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Esch
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: del Turco
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Africh
authors.forename: Govanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Comelli
authors.forename: Maya
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kiskinova