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[ital In] [ital situ] x-ray-scattering study of the Au(001) reconstruction in alkaline and acidic electrolytes

Journal Article · · Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter; (United States)
; ; ;  [1]
  1. Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, One Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, California 94720 (United States)
X-ray scattering from the solid/liquid interface of a Au(001) single crystal in 0.1 M potassium hydroxide and 0.1 M perchloric acid electrolytes has been measured. In both solutions the Au surface reconstruction consists of an incommensurate-hexagonal monolayer with a structure similar to the clean annealed vacuum surface at room temperature. In KOH electrolyte the reconstruction is aligned along the [110] direction, unlike the vacuum and perchloric acid interfaces, where the reconstruction is rotated [plus minus](0.5--0.8)[degree] from the [110] direction. In KOH solution the reconstruction forms rapidly at electrode potentials below [minus]0.25 V (versus the saturated calomel electrode) and is lifted in a narrow potential region (40 mV) above [minus]0.10 V, very close to the estimated potential of zero charge (PZC) for the reconstructed surface. In perchloric acid solution the reconstruction forms much more slowly at potentials just below the PZC of the unreconstructed surface, and is stable up to approximately 0.30 V, which is just positive of the PZC. In KOH solution the stability of the reconstruction is controlled primarily by the interaction of the surface with hydroxyl anions. The controlling mechanism in perchloric acid is unclear.
DOE Contract Number:
AC03-76SF00098; AC02-76CH00016
OSTI ID:
6451407
Journal Information:
Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter; (United States), Journal Name: Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter; (United States) Vol. 47:24; ISSN PRBMDO; ISSN 0163-1829
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English