Application of high‐resolution electron energy‐loss spectroscopy to the study of adsorbates on metal oxide surfaces: Methylacetylene and allene on ZnO(0001)

In this study, the surface intermediates formed during the adsorption and reaction of methylacetylene and allene on the (0001)‐Zn polar surface of ZnO were examined using high‐resolution electron energy‐loss spectroscopy (HREELS). HREEL spectra indicated that methylacetylene adsorbed dissociatively at low temperature to form both methylacetylide and propargyl species, whereas allene adsorbed dissociatively to form only propargyl intermediates. HREEL spectra also showed that at temperatures near 600 K both adsorbed methylacetylides and propargyls reacted to form a graphitic overlayer. This investigation is a further demonstration of the applicability of HREELS to study adsorbed hydrocarbons on metal oxide surfaces.