A spectro-microscopic study of the reactive phase separation of Au + Pd and O on Rh(1 1 0)

Reorganization of Au + Pd submonolayers on a Rh(1 1 0) surface occurring during the water formation reaction has been observed and characterized by low energy electron microscopy (LEEM) and X-ray photoemission electron microscopy (XPEEM). The results demonstrate segregation of Au + Pd and oxygen into separate surface phases, the morphology and size of the O and Au + Pd patterns being governed by the reaction parameters and adsorbate coverage. At moderate Au + Pd coverages and temperatures in the range 760–860 K, lamellar periodic Au + Pd/O micro-structures are generated. The results are interpreted in terms of kinetic and thermodynamic considerations.