title: Direct observation of H2 binding to a metal oxide surface.
abstract: Inelastic neutron scattering is used to probe the dynamical response of H2 films adsorbed on MgO(100) as a function of film thickness. Concomitant diffraction measurements and a reduced-dimensionality quantum dynamical model provide insight into the molecule-surface interaction potential. At monolayer thickness, the rotational motion is strongly influenced by the surface, so that the molecules behave like quasiplanar rotors. These findings have a direct impact on understanding how molecular hydrogen binds to the surface of materials used in catalytic and storage applications.
authors.affiliation: Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA. jzl@utk.edu
authors.forename: J Z
authors.initials: JZ
authors.lastname: Larese
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Arnold
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Frazier
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Hinde
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Ramirez-Cuesta