Model for the formation of a microscopic Turing structure: The facetting of Pt(110) during catalytic oxidation of CO

Abstract
A Monte Carlo simulation of the formation of regular facet patterns during catalytic CO oxidation on Pt(110) has been conducted. The simulation was based on the elementary steps of the surface reaction, the CO-induced 1×1⇄1×2 phase transition, and the enhancement of O2 adsorption at step sites. The model can reproduce the formation of sawtoothlike facet patterns with a spacing of ∼100 to 200 Å. The facets represent a Turing structure caused by the coupling of kinetic instabilities with the mass transport of Pt atoms.