Reflection–absorption infrared spectroscopic study on a CuOX/SiO2 model catalyst prepared by spin-coating on a SiO2/W/Si(100) buried metal substrate

CuOX particles were deposited by spin-coating on a SiO2(50 nm)/W(70 nm)/Si(100) buried metal substrate using 2-propanol solution of a Cu precursor followed by oxidation. The CuOX/SiO2/W/Si model catalyst was used to detect vibrational modes of submonolayer adsorbates by reflection–absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIRS). During methanol reaction on CuOX/SiO2/W/Si, RAIR spectra showed that methoxy species was formed on CuOX particles and spilt over to the SiO2 substrate, replacing hydroxyl species.