Calculation of energy characteristics of adsorption of metals

Within the framework of the electron density functional, a technique is developed for calculation of the adsorption energy and variation in the electron work function for metal substrates due to metal atom adsorption. The corrections to the local density approximation, which are associated with non-uniformity of the electron density in the subsurface region and discontinuous ion charge distribution over the crystal lattice sites, are included into consideration. It is shown that adsorption of alkali metal atoms results in lower electron work function, while that of transition metals (cobalt, iron, and chromium) might both decrease and increase the electron work function. Formation of a variety of adsorption structures from metal atoms depending on the temperature is discussed. __________ Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 7, pp. 14–19, July, 2007.