Using a combination of polarization-modulation infrared reflection abdsorption spectroscopy and ambient pressure x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, we identified the chemical state of the Ag(111) surface and the nature of the adsorbed species during ethylene oxidation reaction conditions. In the 25-200 °C temperature range and ~10-mbar total pressure studied here, Ag(111) remains metallic even in O<sub>2</sub>-rich conditions. Surface carbonate and atomic oxygen are the only surface species in "clean" conditions. Other surface species that are commonly observed and were reported in the literature are due to contamination. Surface carbonate forms from further oxidation of produced CO<sub>2</sub>, similar to its formation in air on Ag surfaces. It is also pressure-dependent, e.g, it is not observed when the total pressure is lower.

Ethylene oxidation on Ag(111) studied with infrared and X-ray spectroscopies at ambient conditions

ACS Fall 2021

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.