Enhancement of surface activity in CO oxidation on Pt(110) through spatiotemporal laser actuation

TL;DR

This study demonstrates that spatiotemporal laser actuation can optimize CO oxidation on Pt(110) by controlling surface temperature profiles, leading to enhanced reaction rates through a combination of experiments and modeling.

Contribution

It introduces a novel method of using computer-controlled laser beams to modulate surface activity dynamically, revealing an optimal laser speed for maximum catalytic efficiency.

Findings

Reaction rate exhibits a maximum at a specific laser speed.

Both experimental data and modeling support the existence of an optimal laser speed.

Spatiotemporal temperature control enhances catalytic surface activity.

Abstract

We explore the effect of spatiotemporally varying substrate temperature profiles on the dynamics and resulting reaction rate enhancement for the catalytic oxidation of CO on Pt(110). The catalytic surface is "addressed" by a focused laser beam whose motion is computer-controlled. The averaged reaction rate is observed to undergo a characteristic maximum as a function of the speed of this moving laser spot. Experiments as well as modelling are used to explore and rationalize the existence of such an optimal laser speed.