Carbon and sulphur on Pd(111) and Pt(111): Experimental problems during cleaning of the substrates and impact of sulphur on the redox properties of CeOx in the CeOx/Pd(111) system

The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and CO titration has been used to detect common impurities like carbon and sulphur on Pd(111) and Pt(111) surfaces. Different experimental problems are discussed and practical tips for the cleaning of Pd(111) and Pt(111) are given. A mechanism for the carbon oxidation on closed packed platinum group metals like Pt(111) and Pd(111) is presented. The bulk carbon concentration of Pd(111) was estimated based on the Langmuir–McLean theorem. Additionally it was shown that the titration with CO and subsequent XPS measurement is a powerful yet convenient method for quantitative detection of impurities and ceria coverage determination. A CeOx/Pd(111) inverse model system was prepared by evaporation of cerium in an oxygen atmosphere. The comparative study has shown that sulphur contamination changes the redox properties of the CeOx in the CeOx/Pd(111) system.