Molecular geometry modifications upon adsorption for N2O: N and O K-edge NEXAFS

The interaction of a monolayer and submonolayer N2O with the Cu(1 0 0) and Ag(1 1 0) surfaces has been studied using near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy. From a detailed analysis of the angular dependent intensity of the molecular resonances we derive a substrate and coverage dependent bent of the N2O molecules upon adsorption. From the comparison of the π* resonance intensity from the terminal Nt, and central Nc nitrogen atoms we conclude that the N2O molecules couple with the Cu surface through the terminal Nt atom in contrast to the Ag surface where the Nc atom is involved.