Quantum Hydrogen on Solid Surfaces

Abstract

Quantum effect is manifest for hydrogen atoms on surfaces as well as for those in solution and solids. The excited states of a hydrogen atom directly adsorbed on metal surfaces are beyond the diffusion barrier, thus being delocalized to the next sites, and even spread over the entire surface in the low-coverage limit. In addition, water and hydroxyl group on the surfaces show significant quantum effect, due to tunneling and zero-point motion of the hydrogen atom. We briefly review some experimental and theoretical studies that revealed the quantum effect of the hydrogen atom on the surfaces.