Abstract
We have clarified the reaction processes of the CH4 dissociative chemisorption on cesiated and bare Pt (111) surfaces by means of a thermal energy He atom scattering technique. The amount of the reaction products has been found to be dependent on the incident kinetic energy of CH4, the work function of the surface and the energy loss during inelastic collisions. The reaction suppressed by Cs adsorption is attributed mainly to the increase in the activation barrier height for CH4 dissociation. This enhanced barrier height is caused by the decrease in the work function as a result of cesiation.
