The interaction of water with metal and oxide surfaces is a topic of fundamental interest. In catalysis, water is present in many chemical reactions, either as a reactant, product, solvent or contamination. Studies on the hydration process of ZnO surfaces are of particular importance for an atomic level understanding of numerous catalytic reactions such as methanol production from synthesis gas and the water–gas shift reaction. Here, the adsorption and reaction of water on the non-polar ZnO(10-10) single crystal surface were investigated systematically by infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRRAS) coupled with grazing incidence X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The experimental data revealed the presence of various species including water monomer, mixed H2O/OH monolayer, water bilayer and multilayers formed depending on the temperature and coverage. The results from isotopic substitution experiments with D216O and D218O at 250 K provided deep insight into the water adlayer. On the basis of temperature-dependent IRRAS experiments, additional information about the structure evolution and reaction kinetics was obtained.

Insights into water adsorption on ZnO(10-10) surfaces: An IRRAS study

254th National Meeting (2017)

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