Zerovalent Se (Se atom and small Se, molecule) adsorption mechanisms on a CaO surface were studied by both density functional theory (DFT) calculations and adsorption experiments. Nonvalent Se adsorption on the CaO(001) surface was simulated using a slab model. The adsorption energy, adsorption structure, electron density clouds) and electron properties were calculated: Different Se Surface coverages were investigated to elucidate the adsorption process. In the experiments, the Se adsorption products were prepared in a U-shaped quartz reactor at 300 degrees C The properties were investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), field emission scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (FE-SEM/EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD), respectively. The experimental results match up with the DFT results, which reveal fundamental monochemisorption mechanisms of zerovalent Se on the CaO surface.