Selective Oxidation of Ammonia on Ruthenium to Form p(2 x 2) Nitrogen Layer

Oxidation of ammonia was used to prepare a p(2 x 2) nitrogen layer on the Ru(0001) surface as verified by temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) and low energy electron diffraction (LEED). The process takes place in an ultra-high vacuum (UHV) chamber. The surface is precovered with oxygen and then exposed to ammonia at low temperature. Upon heating, the ammonia is oxidized to form water, which desorbs at low temperature to leave a nitrogencovered surface. The resulting layer can be used in a variety of surface chemical studies, including a hydrogenation reaction, which is an important part in the study of the Haber-Bosch process, in which ruthenium is used as a catalyst.