SCF calculations of the interactions of alkali and halide ions with the mercury surface

From extensive ab initio calculations on the interactions between mercury clusters and alkali and halide ions we have derived analytical pair-potential functions for the interaction between the ion and an extended mercury (111) surface. A novel correction scheme is proposed in order to reduce the shortcomings of cluster model. A preferred adsorption above the twofold bridge site was found for Li⁺ and Na⁺ and above the threefold hollow site for all other ions. The ab initio results have been fitted to analytical functions that can be used in computer simulations.