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This proposal seeks EPSRC support for the UK partner to take part in a COST Network which has been approved by the EC. The Network involves groups from Copenhagen (coordinator), Berlin, Manchester, Marseille and Dusseldorf. It will investigate the electronic and geometric relationships at surfaces of metal-oxides in relation to their catalytic and sensing activity. Model studies on single crystal surfaces have already proven useful in the elucidation of the involved reaction mechanisms for several important chemical reactions.We propose to carry out a series of investigations on pure metal-oxide crystals and films, in particular on the low-index surfaces of A1203, MgO, Fe203, Fe304, Sh02, Ti02 and ZnO, and of their interaction with small active molecules such as 02, CO, cO2 and H2O. Besides their challenging role in basic science, they are all of high present relevance in catalysis and gas sensor applications.We will further study the effects of low-coordination metal centres at the oxide surfaces, of adsorbed metal particles and ultrathin films, eg of Cu, Pd, Au and K.Methods used will be: AES, AFM, (AR)EELS, AR(UPS), ESDIA, TTIR(AS), HREELS, IRAS, LEED, MBE, NEXAFS, PES, SEXAFS, SPALEED, SSIMS, STM, TCS, TEM, VLEED, XPED AND XPS.
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