Orientation of o-nitrophenol adsorbed on LaCoO3(111)

Abstract Adsorbed layers of o -nitrophenol on single-crystal LaCoO 3 (111) have been investigated by near edge extended X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS). This is the first NEXAFS study of o -nitrophenol and also of adsorption on LaCoO 3 (111). The results suggest that, at coverages of 0.3 and 0.7 monolayers, nitrophenol is dissociated to form two nitrogen-containing species, with one oriented perpendicular to the surface and the other oriented at around 44° to the surface. The ring also appears to be oriented at around 45° to the surface with bonding through a phenoxy group formed by loss of the phenol-group hydrogen.