This book describes the investigation of an unknown steric effect in the reaction between a vibrationally excited methane molecule colliding with the surface of the nickel crystal, a discovery which could lead to improvements in commercial hydrogen production.

Bruce Yoder's thesis outlines his investigation of the dissociative chemisorption of methane (CH4) on a nickel single crystal. In this work Bruce uses a molecular beam and infrared laser techniques to prepare methane in excited rovibrational states. The excited methane molecules are aligned relative to the target nickel surface. Bruce describes the discovery and exploration of a previously unknown steric effect in the dissociation reaction between a vibrationally excited methane molecule and a nickel crystal. From these studies we see that methane molecules are up to twice as reactive when the vibration is aligned parallel rather than perpendicular to the surface. This discovery will help guide the development of detailed predictive models of methane chemisorption, which in turn may lead to better catalysts for the synthesis of several industrially relevant chemicals, including hydrogen fuel from natural gas.

Nominated by the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Switzerland as an outstanding PhD thesis Describes the discovery and exploration of an unknown steric effect in the reaction between a vibrationally excited methane molecule and the surface of a nickel crystal The basis for the development of a detailed predictive model for methane chemisorption Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Inhalt
Introduction.- Experimental Setup.- State specific preparation and alignment of gas-phase reagents.- State-resolved steric effects in methane chemisorption on Ni(100).- State-resolved steric effects in CH4(v3) dissociation on Ni(110).- Summary and Outlook.