The oxygen state active in the catalytic oxidation of carbon monoxide at a caesium surface: isolation of the reactive anionic CO2δ– species

Abstract

Analysis of X-ray photoelectron spectra taken as a function of oxygen exposure shows that at a caesium surface at 80 K the O^δ– state develops first as a precursor to the oxide O^2– and peroxo O₂^δ– states; the O^δ– species are reactive to CO(g) at 80 K giving the anionic form of adsorbed carbon dioxide CO₂^δ–; the latter is readily converted to surface carbonate on exposure to dioxygen.