Vibrational spectroscopic observation of ice dewetting on MgO(001).

The properties of the interfacial water monolayer on MgO(001) during growth of multilayer ice and, in particular, the dewetting of crystalline ice on MgO(001) are revealed by vibrational sum frequency generation and infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy.

Charge-mediated adsorption behavior of CO on MgO-supported Au clusters.

The CO binding behavior to gold particles supported on MgO thin films has been analyzed with scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and infrared spectroscopy (IRAS). The ad-particles accommodate excess electrons that originate either from a charge transfer through the thin oxide film or from a local interaction with electron-rich oxide defects that act as Au nucleation centers. The enhanced electron density in the Au aggregates affects both the spatial distribution and the vibrational properties of adsorbed CO species.