It was noted that the saturation coverage of molecules adsorbed on metal surfaces often increased with adsorption temperature, and could be accompanied by the ordering of the molecules into periodic structures at higher temperatures. The case of NO on Rh(111) was a specific example of this behavior. Modeling the adsorption process by means of Monte Carlo simulations in which diffusion and lateral interaction were considered indicated that both the increase in the saturation coverage and the ordering with increasing adsorption temperature were in agreement with an enhanced mobility of the adsorbed molecules.

Role of Surface Diffusion in the Ordering of Adsorbed Molecules: Dynamic Monte Carlo Simulations of NO on Rh(111). R.M.Van Hardeveld, M.J.P.Hopstaken, J.J.Lukkien, P.A.J.Hilbers, A.P.J.Jansen, R.A.Van Santen, J.W.Niemantsverdriet: Chemical Physics Letters, 1999, 302[1-2], 98-102