Phenylacetylene adsorption on Rh(100): a photoemission and photoabsorption investigation

A joint XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) and NEXAFS (near edge X-ray absorption fine structure) investigation of the adsorption of phenylacetylene (PA) on the surface of Rh(100) single crystal was carried out by evaporating PA on the clean metal surface in the monolayer and multilayer regime. The experimental results indicate that the interaction of the PA molecule with the Rh(100) surface involves mainly the two carbon atoms of the alkyne moiety; the binding of the alkyne group to the metal surface produces the opening of the triple bond. A comparison with the results obtained for PA adsorption on the surface of Pt(111) and Cu(100) is also discussed.