Structural studies of SO2 adsorption on metal surfaces

The adsorption and condensation of sulphur dioxide on a number of metal surfaces is examined with emphasis on the observed surface structures. First some properties of gasphase SO2 and the characteristic bonding modes of SO2 in transition-metal complexes are summarized. The role of fast and high-resolution core-level spectroscopy in the study of the kinetics of surface processes and in the identification of surface species is demonstrated for SO2 adsorption and temperature-dependent decomposition on CU(100). Structural studies of SO2 adsorption on Ag(110), Pd(100) and Pt(lll) using qualitative techniques are reviewed as well as quantitative structure determinations of condensed SO2 and of SO2 adsorption on Ni(110), Ni(100), Ni(lll)and Cu(100) using x-ray absorption fine structure. The different adsorption and desorption behaviour is discussed in the light of the electronic structure of both the adsorbate and the substrate.