The properties of K and coadsorbed CO + K on Ru (001). II. Electronic structure

The electronic properties of K and CO + K mixed layers on Ru(001) have been examined in detail with XPS, polarization and angle dependent UPS, and work function changes. The adsorption of K is accompanied by a gradual decrease of the K 2p binding energies and a normal work function behaviour which are discussed in detail. Adsorption of CO on K predosed surfaces also causes a K 2p binding energy decrease at all K coverages which can be understood as repulsion of substrate charge back into the K atom induced by CO orbitals overlapping with the substrate valence band. The complex change in work function caused by CO adsorption is explained by the combination of three effects, CO addition, charge exchange, and K displacement. All results in this and the first paper, in particular the additional peaks in the He I spectra and the HREELS results, are only compatible with the model of a sp²-rehybridized CO molecule in the vicinity of coadsorbed K.