Surface chemistry of CO2 – Adsorption of carbon dioxide on clean surfaces at ultrahigh vacuum

Abstract

Carbon dioxide chemistry has attracted significant interest in recent years. Although the field is diverse, a current and more comprehensive review of the surface science literature may be of interest for a variety of communities since environmental chemistry, energy technology, materials science, catalysis, and nanocatalysis are certainly affected by gas–surface properties. The review describes surface phenomena and characterization strategies highlighting similarities and differences, instead of providing only a list of system-specific information. The various systems are roughly distinguished as those that clearly form carbonates and those that merely physisorb CO₂ at ultra-high vacuum conditions. Nevertheless, extended sections about specific systems including rarely studied surfaces and unusual materials are included, making this review also useful as a reference.