Formation of Two-Dimensional Concentration Pulses on Microdesigned Composite Catalyst Surfaces

Michael Pollmann; Harm Hinrich Rotermund; Gerhard Ertl; Xiujiang Li; Ioannis G. Kevrekidis

doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.86.6038

Formation of Two-Dimensional Concentration Pulses on Microdesigned Composite Catalyst Surfaces

Michael Pollmann, Harm Hinrich Rotermund, Gerhard Ertl, Xiujiang Li, and Ioannis G. Kevrekidis

Phys. Rev. Lett. 86, 6038 – Published 25 June 2001

Abstract

We study the effect of microdesigned composite geometries on pattern formation during the catalytic oxidation of CO on Pt-Ti, Pt-Rh, and Pt-Pd composite catalysts. In particular, we find experimentally (and rationalize through modeling) that adsorbate surface transport through the second (active) component drastically affects the shapes and interactions of concentration patterns (traveling pulses) observed on pure Pt.