Energetics of Carbon deposition on Fe(100) and Fe(110) surfaces and subsurfaces

► Carbon deposition is favored kinetically on the Fe(100). ► Carbide formation is favored thermodynamically on Fe(100). ► Carbide formation is favored kinetically and thermodynamically on Fe(110). ► Carbon deposition is not competitive to carbide formation on Fe(110). ► Fe(100) favors carbon deposition, Fe(110) favors carbide formation.