A time-dependent tunnelling current mode based upon scanning tunnelling microscopy/spectroscopy (STM/STS) was used to study the tracer diffusion of CO molecules along steps and on terraces of Pt(111). The results showed that the hopping rate of CO molecules along steps was about 10 times faster than that on terraces in the measured temperature range. The diffusion activation energies were 5.1 kcal/mol and 3.8 kcal/mol on terraces and along steps, respectively. The lower activation energy and faster hopping rate for CO molecules diffusing along steps provide evidence that steps provide fast diffusion channels for CO molecules on stepped Pt(111) surfaces.

Study of CO Diffusion on Stepped Pt(111) Surface by Scanning Tunneling Microscopy. K.Wang, F.Ming, Q.Huang, X.Zhang, X.Xiao: Surface Science, 2010, 604[3-4], 322-6