The oxidation of trivalent chromium at Au(1 1 1) electrode

Electro-oxidation of Cr(III)–Cr(VI) species was investigated on the (1 1 1) plane of a gold single crystal in a highly alkaline solution. This process was found to be structure sensitive due to the involvement of the OH⁻ anion in the rate-determining step. It was noticed additionally, that in the ionic system the lifting of the reconstruction could be due to the coadsorption of the anions from the supporting electrolyte and the anions supplied from the electro-oxidation process.     

Spontaneous deposition of Sn on Au(1 1 1). An in situ STM study

The tin adlayer formed by spontaneous deposition on Au(1 1 1) was characterized by cyclic voltammetry and in situ scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) in sulphuric acid solution. Cyclic voltammetry measurements showed oxidation peaks in the potential range −0.60 ⩽ E/V vs SSE ⩽ 0, which can be ascribed to the dissolution of the Sn adsorbed layer. STM images of the Au(1 1 1)/Sn modified surface showed that tin nucleated both on step edges and on the flat terraces forming two-dimensional islands. The anodic polarization of this modified surface produced the gradual dissolution of the Sn adlayer which was evidenced by the formation of some holes and the reduction of the initial terraces to many small islands. STM images with atomic resolution obtained on these islands displayed an hexagonal expanded atomic structure. After the anodic stripping of this Sn adsorbed layer the images exhibited the typical Au(1 1 1) terraces with a (1 × 1) atomic structure. However, at more anodic potentials another dissolution process was observed producing noticeable changes on the surface morphology which could be ascribed to the dissolution of a Au–Sn surface alloy.     

An in situ STM study on the long-range surface restructuring of Au(1 1 1) in a non-chloroaluminumated ionic liquid

We report an in situ STM study of a potential-dependent long-range surface restructuring of Au(1 1 1) electrode in neat 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborates (BMIBF₄) ionic liquid. Au(1 1 1) undergoes a significant long-range surface restructuring upon cathodic excursion to −1.0 V vs. Pt quasi-reference. The restructuring involves the formation of tiny pits, which then develops into a stable worm-like network with an average width of the network grids 2 nm. Electrochemical annealing occurs at the cathodic limit with the presence of a reduction product of cation BMI⁺. A smooth surface is recovered with the appearance of the typical (√3 × 22) reconstruction of Au(1 1 1). The surface restructuring is reestablished upon anodic excursion to −1.3 V after the adsorbed reduction product is oxidized. The long-range surface restructuring phenomenon is tentatively explained as a result of partial charge transfer to the weakly adsorbed BMI⁺, which reduces the metal–metal cohesive energy. In addition, the synergetic effect of the counter anion BF₄⁻ may also be involved. The results provide a knowledge of Au(1 1 1) electrode behavior in the neat ionic liquid and are beneficial to understanding in situ STM results involving surface morphological changes in such a media.     

The interfacial chemistry and energy level structure of a liquid crystalline perylene derivative on Au(1 1 1) and graphite surfaces

We compare the energy level structure of ordered monolayers of N,N′-ditridecyl-3,4,9,10-perylenetetracarboxylic diimide (PTCDI-C13) on Au(1 1 1) and highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG). Both ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy and scanning tunneling spectroscopy measurements show the formation of an occupied interface state for PTCDI-C13 on Au(1 1 1), whereas no such state is observed for PTCDI-C13 on HOPG. Comparative density functional theory calculations for various isolated perylene derivatives in the neutral and anionic states are unable to explain differences in observed interface state formation, which suggests that the interface state for PTCDI-C13/Au(1 1 1) is a consequence of a weak chemical interaction of this molecule and the Au substrate.     

The interfaces of Au(111) and Au(100) in a hexaalkyl-substituted guanidinium ionic liquid: an electrochemical and in situ STM study

Five hexaalkylguanidinium-based ionic liquids have been synthesised, and based on their cyclic voltammograms the most suited one, N,N-dibutyl-N',N'-diethyl-N',N'-dimethylguanidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, has been chosen for electrochemical studies. The surface interaction of this room-temperature ionic liquid with single crystalline gold surfaces (Au(100) and Au(111)) has been investigated using cyclic voltammetry, impedance spectroscopy and in situ scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM). The interfacial capacitance was found to be very low; STM measurements revealed the hex-reconstruction and herringbone reconstruction for Au(100) and for Au(111), respectively, at negative potentials; that is, at these potentials no hints for ad-structures of the cation could be found.     

In situ STM imaging of polyethylene glycol adsorbed on an Au(111) electrode in pH 3

In situ scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) is used to examine the electrified interface of Au(111) immersed in a pH 3 sulfate medium containing polyethylene glycol (PEG) with an average molecular weight of 6000. The cyclic voltammograms thus obtained show two sharp peaks at − 0.35 and − 0.38 V (vs. reversible hydrogen electrode), which correlates with the STM observation of a highly ordered (2 × 2 √ 3)rect structure and the adsorption of PEGs. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy is used to examine the film formed at − 0.4 V, revealing prominent C–C and C–O–C structures, thereby supporting the view of adsorption and reduction PEGs on the Au(111) electrode. STM imaging at the initial stage of PEG's adsorption reveals winding linear segments 0.6 nm wide and 20–40 nm long, implying helical conformations of PEGs. The PEG film dissolves and yields a high density of nanoclusters, as the potential is switched stepwise from − 0.4 to 0.9 V.     

In situ STM study of zinc electrodeposition on Au(111) from the ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethylsulfonate

The electrodeposition of Zn on Au(111) was investigated with cyclic voltammetry (CV) and in situ scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) in the air and water stable ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethylsulfonate ([EMIm]TfO) with a Zn(TfO)₂ concentration of 0.2 M. It has been found that the structure [EMIm]TfO/Au(111) is very complex. Furthermore, the addition of Zn(TfO)₂ changes the interfacial structure significantly. The first STM-probed Zn islands appear at +0.3 V, and their growth leads to the formation of a thin zinc layer. A bulk deposition of Zn is obtained with in situ STM at ?0.1 V. Furthermore, in situ STM reveals that the deposition of Zn is accompanied by the formation of Au-Zn surface alloys.     

In situ femtosecond spectroelectrochemistry of Au(1 1 1) in an aqueous chloride solution

In this paper we report the first in situ femtosecond spectroelectrochemistry experiment employing a broadband probe, allowing the measurement of ultrafast transient visible spectra with a fixed pump wavelength. We investigated in situ femtosecond transient reflectivity of a Au(1 1 1) electrode in contact with an aqueous KCl solution. The pump wavelength was set at 780 nm and a supercontinuum probe was employed, yielding ultrafast spectral information on the electron thermalisation dynamics in the range 450–650 nm. Electrochemical control allowed to investigate the dynamic response to different Cl^? adsorption conditions.     

Mono- and multi-layer adsorption of an ionic liquid on Au(110)

Ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS), work function measurements, low energy electron diffraction (LEED) and scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) have been used to study the adsorption and desorption of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]imide, [C(2)C(1)Im][Tf(2)N], on the (1×2) clean surface reconstruction of Au(110) in the temperature range 100-674 K. The ionic liquid adsorbed without decomposition, and desorbed without leaving any residue on the surface. For adsorption at room temperature a monolayer of strongly bound ionic liquid was formed with four interface states visible in UP spectra. STM at 100 K showed that the monolayer consisted of well-ordered rows of adsorbed ionic liquid aligned parallel to the close packed rows of surface gold atoms (the [110] direction) with a separation of ×2 (the same as the clean surface reconstruction) between the rows in the orthogonal [001] direction. Multilayer adsorption at room temperature occurred by droplet formation followed by smoothing of the droplets to a layered morphology with time. Heating caused multilayer desorption at temperatures in the 363-383 K range, followed by partial monolayer desorption at 548 K to produce a Au(110)-(1×3) reconstructed surface with sub-monolayer domains of ionic liquid. Desorption of the remaining ionic liquid at 600 K caused the gold surface to reconstruct back to the clean (1×2) reconstruction.     

NEXAFS study of a Pt-containing rod-like organometallic polymer (Pt-DEBP): molecular orientation onto HOPG, Au/Si(1 1 1), Cr/Si(1 1 1) and Si(1 1 1) surfaces

The influence of different substrates on the molecular orientation of organometallic polymer Pt-DEBP, [Pt(PBu₃)₂CCC₁₂H₈CC]_n, has been investigated by NEXAFS spectroscopy. Thin films were deposited on HOPG, Au/Si(1 1 1), Cr/Si(1 1 1), Si(1 1 1) and stainless steel. The assignment of the spectral features has been carried out on the basis of previous STEX calculations performed on phenylacetylene model molecule in gas phase and adsorbed on Pt(1 1 1) and Cu(1 0 0). Angular dependent analysis of the π* resonance occurring at 285.50 eV photon energy deriving by the benzene carbon orbitals showed a polarisation effect for all substrates. A preferential molecular orientation at nearly 40° to the surface normal was observed. This result might be explained by the strong interaction between sp and sp² carbons of the organic diethynylbiphenyl DEBP moiety contained in close chains, leading to polymer self-assembling.     

The potentials of zero charge of Pd(1 1 1) and thin Pd overlayers on Au(1 1 1)

The potential of zero charge (pzc) of Pd(1 1 1) has been determined in dilute NaF solutions by measuring the Gouy–Chapman minimum of the double-layer capacity. For a massive Pd(1 1 1) single crystal electrode a pzc of −0.12 V vs. SCE has been found. The corresponding values for thin Pd(1 1 1) overlayers on Au(1 1 1) have also been determined. While the pzc of the first, pseudomorphic Pd layer on Au(1 1 1) is −0.09 V vs. SCE, the pzc of a five monolayers thick Pd film on Au(1 1 1) is practically identical to the pzc of the massive Pd(1 1 1) electrode. By comparing pzc's and work functions for Au(1 1 1) and Pd(1 1 1), the dipole contribution to the potential drop across the Pd(1 1 1)/water interface is estimated.     

Ordered arrays of semi-crown ligands on an Au(111) electrode surface: in situ STM study

Self-organized systems have attracted much at-tention due to their potential applications in nano- technology as a bottom-up?approach for the con-struction of molecule-scale devices and nanostruc-tures[1—4]. Beyond the self-assembly of small molecu-lar building blocks, Schnherr et al. recently suc-ceeded in arranging the rosette supramolecular nanos-tructures in two dimensions on HOPG[5,6]. Moreover, interest has tremendously increased in the su-pramolecular structures via coordination-dr…     

Gap-mode SERS studies of azobenzene-containing self-assembled monolayers on Au(1 1 1)

Self-assembled monolayers of azobenzene-containing thiols on smooth Au(1 1 1) surfaces were studied by gap-mode surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (gap-mode SERS). By adsorption of colloidal Au nanoparticles on top of the organic adlayer highly reproducible spectra with strongly enhanced intensities are obtained. The observed bands indicate a trans conformation of the azobenzene moieties and are in agreement with structural data for the molecular layer. A characteristic dependency on the terminal and the spacer groups of the molecules is found. Samples prepared during illumination with UV light show pronounced spectral differences that can be attributed to azobenzene in cis conformation.     

Modelling of benzene-1,4-dithiol on a Au(1 1 1) surface

The bonding of benzene-1,4-dithiol to a Au(1 1 1) surface is studied using a Au₂₅–SC₆H₄SH model. We find that the most favorable structure has the S directly above an Au atom, i.e., an on-top site. If the molecule is constrained to be perpendicular to the surface, the on-top site is the least favorable site and the threefold hollow is the most favorable one.     

In situ STM investigation of spinodal decomposition and surface alloying during underpotential deposition of Cd on Au(111) from an ionic liquid

The electrodeposition and anodic dissolution of Cd on Au(111) in an acidic chloroaluminate ionic liquid (MBIC-AlCl(3), 42 : 58 mol%) have been investigated by cyclic voltammetry and in situ STM. In the Cd underpotential deposition region, various nanostructures can be distinguished. At a potential of 0.95 V vs. Al/Al(iii), a transformation from a well ordered AlCl(4)(-) adlayer to a ( radical3 x radical19) superstructure, presumably due to Cd-AlCl(4)(-) coadsorption, is observed. Reducing the potential to 0.45 V, surface alloying of Cd and Au occurs, which is evidenced for the first time by typical spinodal structures occurring both during deposition and dissolution of the surface alloy layer having a hexagonal structure. At still lower potentials below 0.21 V, a layer-by-layer growth of bulk Cd sets in.     

Highly ordered adlayers of three calix[4]arene derivatives on Au(1 1 1) surface in HClO4 solution: in situ STM study

Highly ordered adlayers of three calix[4]arene derivatives have been prepared on Au(1 1 1) surface in HClO₄ solution. The adlayer structures are characterized by in situ scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). High-resolution STM images reveal the molecular orientation and packing arrangement in the ordered adlayers. All the molecules are upright on Au(1 1 1) surface in pinched cone conformation. The structural difference of these molecules is proposed to be from the different functional groups at the upper and lower positions. The structural models are tentatively proposed for three ordered adlayers.     

Adsorption of hydrogen on Pt(1 1 1) and Pt(1 0 0) surfaces and its role in the HOR

Hydrogen adsorption isotherms, evaluated by combination of cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry, are reported on Pt(1 1 1) and Pt(1 0 0) surfaces in 0.1 M HClO₄. We found that at E > 0.05 V Pt(1 1 1) and Pt(1 0 0) are only partially covered by the adsorbed hydrogen (H_ad). On both surfaces, a full monolayer of the adsorbed hydrogen is completed at −0.1 V, i.e. the adsorption of atomic hydrogen is observed in the hydrogen evolution potential region. We also found, that the activity of the hydrogen oxidation reaction is mirrored by the shape of the hydrogen adsorption isotherms, implying that H_ad is in fact a spectator in the HOR.     

Nitrate reduction on Pt(1 1 1) surfaces modified by Bi adatoms

This work presents the effect of Bi modification of Pt(1 1 1) electrodes on the electroreduction of nitrate anions by using voltammetric and FTIR experiments. On Pt(1 1 1) nitrate consumption occurs at potentials lower than 0.35 V, but with Pt(1 1 1)/Bi this process is shifted to significantly higher potentials (0.6–0.7 V). In the latter surface N₂O was observed as the main product in solution. Different forms of adsorbed NO were detected on the adatom covered surfaces as well as on clean Pt(1 1 1).     

In situ STM investigation of gold reconstruction and of silicon electrodeposition on Au(111) in the room temperature ionic liquid 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide

The electrodeposition of silicon on Au(111) was investigated by cyclic voltammety (CV) and by in situ scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) in the room temperature ionic liquid 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide with a SiCl(4) concentration of 0.1 mol/L. A main reduction process begins in the cyclic voltammogram at about -1800 mV versus ferrocene/ferrocinium, which is correlated to the electrodeposition of elemental semiconducting silicon. It has been found that at an electrode potential more negative than the open circuit potential (OCP), the Au(111) surface is subject to a restructuring/reconstruction both in the case of the pure ionic liquid and in the presence of SiCl(4). The first STM-probed silicon islands with 150-450 pm in height appear at about -1700 mV versus ferrocene/ferrocinium. Their lateral and vertical growth leads to the formation of a rough layer with silicon islands of up to 1 nm in height. At about -1800 mV the islands merge and form silicon agglomerates. In situ I/U tunneling spectroscopy reveals a band gap of 1.1 +/- 0.2 eV for layers of about 5 nm in height, a value that has to be expected for semiconducting silicon.