Evidence for Pdx(CO)y compound formation on an alumina substrate

Although stable binary Pd carbonyls are unknown in the gas phase, we found strong evidence for a stable carbonyl-like Pd compound on an oxide surface: by in situ vapour deposition of Pd at a rate of 2 × 1013 atoms s−1 cm−2 onto an alumina substrate (90 K) at a pressure of 2 × 10−6 mbar CO, a binary compound of Pd and CO is formed which is stable up to 190 K. As substrate serves a well-ordered aluminium oxide film grown on a NiAl(110) single crystal surface. The system was characterized under UHV (ultrahigh vacuum) conditions by means of TDS, LEED, UPS and XPS in a coverage range between 1.4 × 1014 Pd atoms cm−2 and 1.4 × 1016 Pd atoms cm−2. The decomposition at 190 K results in the formation of metallic Pd particles and is accompanied by a sharp and dominant feature in the thermal desorption spectra.