A New Type of Traveling Interface Modulations in a Catalytic Surface Reaction

TL;DR

This paper reports the discovery of a novel traveling interface modulation in a catalytic surface reaction, modeled to explain localized excitability caused by diffusional mixing of adsorbates on Rh(110).

Contribution

It introduces a new type of traveling interface modulation in catalytic reactions and provides a model explaining its localized excitability.

Findings

Observed traveling interface modulations in NH₃ + O₂ reaction on Rh(110)

Model reproduces the interface modulation effect

Attributed the phenomenon to diffusional mixing causing localized excitability

Abstract

A new type of traveling interface modulations has been observed in the NH$_3$ + O$_2$ reaction on a Rh(110) surface. A model is set up which reproduces the effect, which is attributed to diffusional mixing of two spatially separated adsorbates causing an excitability which is strictly localized to the vicinity of the interface of the adsorbate domains.