An Overview of Common Infrared Techniques for Detecting CO Intermediates on Metal Surfaces for Hydrocarbon Products

Abstract

Detection of intermediates during the catalytic process by infrared techniques has been widely implemented for many important reactions. For the reduction of CO2 into hydrocarbons on metal surfaces, CO molecule is one of the most important transient species to be followed due to its involvement in several products’ pathways, and its distinct vibrational features. Herein, basic understandings behind these utilized infrared techniques are illustrated aiming for highlighting the potential of each infrared technique and its advantages over the other ones for detecting CO molecules on metal surfaces.