Scanning Tunneling Microscopy, Voltammetry, and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy Study of the Early Stages of Electrochemical Faceting of Gold (111) in Aqueous Sulfuric and Perchloric Acid

The mechanism of the early stages of the electrochemical faceting of Au(111) in 1 M aqueous sulfuric and 1 M aqueous perchloric acid was investigated, at room temperature, combining voltammetry, scanning tunneling microscopy, and X-ray photoelectronic spectroscopy data. The analysis of the first ele...

Descripción completa

Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Rodriguez Nieto, Felipe Jorge, Andreasen, Gustavo, Martins, María Elisa, Castez, Marcos Federico, Salvarezza, Roberto Carlos, Arvia, Alejandro Jorge
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2003
País:Argentina
Institución:Universidad Nacional de La Plata
Repositorio:SEDICI (UNLP)
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:sedici.unlp.edu.ar:10915/127429
Acceso en línea:http://sedici.unlp.edu.ar/handle/10915/127429
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Ciencias Exactas
Química
electrochemical faceting
electro-oxidation scan
anions
gold
Descripción
Sumario:The mechanism of the early stages of the electrochemical faceting of Au(111) in 1 M aqueous sulfuric and 1 M aqueous perchloric acid was investigated, at room temperature, combining voltammetry, scanning tunneling microscopy, and X-ray photoelectronic spectroscopy data. The analysis of the first electro-oxidation scan indicates that the formation of OH- and O-electroadsorbed species is accompanied by 2D clustering. Subsequent electro-oxidation scans involve the participation of deeper Au(111) atom layers. Clustering effects are favored by the presence of specifically adsorbed anions. After the electro-oxidation scan, the subsequent fast electroreduction of OH- and O-adsorbates initially produces spinoidal patterns that disappear by clustering, 2D metal island growth at different lattice levels, coalescence of islands, and 2D Ostwald ripening. This complex mechanism involves the participation of cooperative surface phenomena. Repetitive electro-oxidation/electroreduction potential cycling assists the formation of small 3D crystallites leading to Au(111) surface faceting.