Specimen transfer from the electrolyte to the UHV in a closed system and some examinations of the double layer on Cu

A transfer system is described which permits the electrochemical preparation of specimens in a purified argon atmosphere and their transport into the UHV for surface analysis. This transfer prevents contamination and oxide formation on semi-noble metals. Reactive metals from only a few monolayers of oxide. This permits examination of electrochemically prepared metal surfaces, which is otherwise not possible. For hydrophobic copper surfaces, the composition of the electrical double layer may be studied. The extraction of the electrode strips the electrolyte off in the vicinity of the Helmholtz layer. For NaClO₄ solutions, the amount of Na⁺ ions and the excess charge decrease linearly with the electrode potential in agreement with a constant electrode capacity. The formation of a prepassive and passive layer leads to a pronounced increase of adsorbed Na⁺ ions. For Cs₂SO₄, specific and co-adsorption of both ions is observed with a minimum in the region of the potential of zero charge.