Acetic Acid on Rh(110): The Stabilization and Autocatalytic Decomposition of Acetate

The decomposition of acetic acid on a Rh(110) single crystal has been studied using molecular beam reaction spectroscopy and temperature-programmed desorption (TPD). It was found that on all clean and coadsorbate predosed surfaces the first step of the reaction was the decomposition of the acid to hydrogen and acetate. On the clean surface the decomposition will go further to produce CO₂, carbon, and hydrogen. However, on carbon-, nitrogen-, or oxygen-predosed surfaces the acetate is stabilised to different extents. The reasons for the stabilisation effects are discussed, and a few structural sources are described. A "surface explosion" was observed with the acetate decomposed on the coadsorbate precovered surfaces.Copyright 1993, 1999 Academic Press