Ethane dissociation on Pt{1 1 0}-(1 × 2): New low-energy pathways

Ethane dissociative adsorption dynamics provide a key model for catalysis involving molecules with carbon–carbon bonds, however earlier studies have been limited to translational energies above 50 kJ/mol. Here we use a novel application of supersonic molecular beam scattering to enable accurate data to be obtained over the more relevant energy range 3–80 kJ/mol. Three new low-energy pathways have been identified for ethane adsorption on Pt{1 1 0}-(1 × 2). One involves ethane molecules in the ground state, one is enhanced by excitation of the C–H stretch modes and the third is enhanced by excitation of the incident ethane methyl deformation modes.