Hydrocarbons conversion over single crystals

Structure Sensitivity of Hydrocarbon Conversion Reactions on Platinum Surfaces How does the reaction rate depend on the atomic structure of the platinum catalyst surface To answer this question, reaction rate studies using flat, stepped, and kinked single-crystal surfaces with variable surface structure were very useful indeed. For the important aromatization reactions of n-hexane to benzene and Ai-heptane to toluene, it was discovered that the hexagonal platinum surface where each surface atom is surrounded by six nearest neighbors is three to seven times more active than the platinum surface with the square unit cell [155, 156]. Aromatization reaction rates increase further on stepped and kinked platinum surfaces. Maximum aromatization activity is achieved on stepped surfaces with terraces about five atoms wide with hexagonal orientation, as indicated by reaction rate studies over more than 10 different crystal surfaces with varied terrace orientation and step and kink concentrations (Figure 7.38). 

The present paper reviews the physical and chemical evidence for the above rules obtained over the last several years from ultrahigh vacuum surface science studies of molybdenum single crystals chemically modified by 0, C, S, and B. Additionally, the results of recent studies of methylcyclopropane hydrogenolysis will be presented which illustrate the influence of surface acid/base sites on catalytic hydrocarbon conversions. The surface coverage of each modifier was determined by quantitative Auger electron spectroscopy or x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The atomic structure of oxygen, carbon, and sulfur adlayers below one monolayer (ML)... 

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