Unusual dissociative adsorption of H2 over stoichiometric MgO thin film supported on molybdenum

- The unusual adsorption behavior of hydrogen molecule on MgO(0 0 1) films deposited on Mo(0 0 1) surface is investigated.
- The heterolytic dissociation of H2 has much lower energy barrier than the homolytic dissociation channel.
- The behavior of the relatively nonreactive MgO towards splitting the hydrogen molecule is modified by supporting MgO on the Mo substrate.