Chemistry and Physics of Alkali Metals on MoS2 Surfaces

The interaction of alkali metal with surfaces has been of great interest to the community of catalysis since alkali metal can play an important role as a promoter. On alkali-doped MoS₂, such a promotion effect of alkali metal has been exemplified in the direct synthesis of linear alcohols from CO and H₂, where the alkali-doping switches the catalyst selectivity from methanation to alcohol synthesis. This paper reviews recent high-resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy experiments that have provided direct observation of electron transfer from alkali metals to a model single crystal MoS₂ and the capture of the supra-valence electrons in the subsequent oxidation reactions.