Catalytic CO oxidation on Pt under near ambient pressure: A NAP-LEEM study

Abstract A near ambient pressure low-energy electron microscope (NAP-LEEM) has recently been constructed, that allows in situ imaging of surfaces up to a pressure of 10 −1  mbar. Here we report on pattern formation in catalytic CO oxidation on a Pt(110) single crystal surface and on a polycrystalline Pt foil in the 10 −2  mbar range, operating the microscope in the mirror electron microscopy (MEM) and in the LEEM mode. Excitations localized at structural defects and spiral wave fragments have been observed.