Infrared Spectra and the Coverage of Molecules on Surfaces of Solid Catalysts

Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, a powerful tool for probing reactive species in reaction conditions, has limited applications to studies of catalytic reactions and materials. This is due to the dipole-coupling effects, a phenomenon where surface molecules cross-communicate with surrounding molecules at high surface coverage, affecting the spectra and leading to inaccurate interpretations of spectroscopic measurements. This project studied the vibrational frequency and intensity of surface carbon monoxide molecules at different gas coverage on the surface of Pt clusters. Using both experimental and computational methods, we successfully established evidence of dipole coupling at high surface coverage on Pt clusters.