Electron work function in alloys from the tin-lead system

The temperature and concentration dependences of the electron work function in Sn-Pb alloys are determined by the Fowler photoelectric method. It is shown that alloying of Sn with Pb decreases the electron work function rather than increasing it, as was reported in the literature. From the published data and experimental data obtained by the authors for the electron work function in the tin-lead system, it follows that the rate of decrease of the electron work function with increasing Pb concentration depends on the vacuum quality in the measuring cell and features in the electron work function isotherms are the more distinct the higher the vacuum.