Photoelectron diffraction determination of the local adsorption geometry of CO on Cu(2 1 0)

Using C 1s and O 1s scanned-energy mode photoelectron diffraction, the local adsorption site and orientation of CO adsorbed on Cu(2 1 0) has been determined. The results show that the molecule adsorbs in an essential on-top site through the C atom with C–Cu and C–O bondlengths generally consistent with previous studies on low index Cu surfaces. The molecule has a significant tilt (18±6°) of the C–O axis away from the surface normal, with components both perpendicular and parallel to the [0 0 1] steps on this surface.