Ethane dissociation on Pt{1 1 0}-(1 × 2): New low-energy pathways

Ethane dissociative adsorption dynamics provide a key model for catalysis involving molecules with carbon-carbon bonds, however earlier studies have been limited to translational energies above 50 kJ/mol. Here we use a novel application of supersonic molecular beam scattering to enable accurate data to be obtained over the more relevant energy range 3-80 kJ/mol. Three new low-energy pathways have been identified for ethane adsorption on Pt{1 1 0}-(1 × 2). One involves ethane molecules in the ground state, one is enhanced by excitation of the C-H stretch modes and the third is enhanced by excitation of the incident ethane methyl deformation modes.