Kinetic oscillations in the catalytic CO oxidation on a Pt(110) surface

Temporal oscillations in the catalytic CO oxidation on Pt(110) under isothermal conditions in a flow reactor were detected and recorded by means of work function measurements between 440 and 590 K and in a pressure range between about 10−5 and 10−3 Torr. A large variety of oscillation forms, including well-defined transitions from periodic to irregular oscillations, was found, depending on the choice of partial pressures and temperature. LEED studies demonstrated that the oscillations occur near the completion of the CO induced 1 × 2 → 1 × 1 structural transformation of the surface. Slight variation of the parameters led to period doubling and transition to irregular behavior.