9318636 Ceyer A knowledge of the detailed dynamics of heterogeneous reactions will put our understanding of surface reaction chemistry on the same footing as our detailed understanding of elementary gas phase reaction processes. This research project, supported in the Analytical and Surface Chemistry Program, is designed to obtain this sort of detailed information. Surface processes which are induced by the collision of gas phase species with the surface are the focus of the work of this project. Molecular beam methods will be used to investigate the reaction of molecules with the surface and species adsorbed on the surface, as a function of the translational energy of the incident molecule. The hydrogenation of ethylene on the nickel surface and the packing of hydrogen atoms into the bulk of the nickel sample are two processes which will be explored in detail. Electron energy loss spectroscopy will be used to identify possible reaction products and surface intermediates which may result from the collision induced surface chemistry. %%% The basic understanding of the dynamics of surface chemical reactions is important for our developing understanding of many technologically important surface processes such as heterogeneous catalysis and electronic materials processing. This basic understanding can best be obtained by exploring the dynamics of elementary surface reaction processes using the molecular dynamics methods developed to examine gas phase reactions. This project addresses the specific question of collision activated surface chemistry, using variable energy molecular beam studies to probe important model systems. From this detailed experimental information, a framework for understanding surface chemical processes will develop. ***
