ABSTRACT
The value of the lifetime of an excited molecule on the surface is of great importance for the catalytic reaction process. When this time exceeds the period between molecular collisions with a surface atom, it would appear reasonable to expect a significant influence of excited molecules. The molecular excitation probability in the exothermic steps of catalytic processes depends substantially on the deactivation mechanism of the vibrational and electronic energy. Clearly, when the deactivation process is strongly hindered, the yield of excited molecules can be appreciably greater. A molecule excites vibrationally during the collision with the surface and immediately transits into a sufficiently deep vibrational level in the adsorption well. Few data on the lifetimes of electronically excited molecules on surface are available and on vibrational excitations. P. Avouris and B. N. Persson reviewed the investigations concerning the lifetimes of electronic excitations on surfaces.
