CO₂ Activation by ZnO through the Formation of an Unusual Tridentate Surface Carbonate

Greenhouse gas “al dente”: Exposure of the nonpolar ZnO(100) surface to CO2 at 95 K leads to the formation of an unusual tridentate carbonate species (see picture; C green, O red, Zn gray). Use of several experimental techniques (for example, high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS)) and theoretical calculations provides insight into the activation of CO2 on the surface.