Characterization and orientation of adsorbed NO dimers on Ag{111} at low temperatures

Reflection-absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIRS) and near-edge x-ray absorption fine structure(NEXAFS) have been used, with isotopic 14NO/15NO mixtures, to determine the structure and orientation of the monolayer species formed by NO adsorption on Ag{111} at 40 to 60 K. The adlayer is composed of NO dimers bonded with the N–N axis in the surface plane and with the molecular plane tilted away from the surface normal by about 30°. This structure provides a simple basis for understanding the facile reaction to adsorbed N2O and O which occurs on heating to 70 to 90 K.