Surface states at the metal-electrolyte interface

A survey is given of the study of surface states at metal-electrolyte interfaces, which comprises both crystal-induced and image-potential-induced states. Because the energetic position varies with electrode potential, surface states can be conveniently investigated in an electrochemical cell by electroreflectance spectroscopy. It is demonstrated that crystal-induced surface states can act as a probe for the potential gradient inside the electric double layer and hence can yield valuable information on interfacial properties. Furthermore, the influence of anion adsorption on surface states, the appearance of surface states in thin metal overlayers with increasing film thickness and the monitoring of surface reconstruction by surface states are briefly discussed.