The instability of vicinal electrode surfaces against step bunching II: Theory |
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| Authors: | Harald Ibach Wolfgang Schmickler |
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| Institution: | a Institut für Schichten und Grenzflächen ISG3, Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany
b Abteilung Elektrochemie, Universität Ulm, D-89069 Ulm, Germany |
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| Abstract: | It is shown that vicinal surfaces with a regular step array in contact with an electrolyte are intrinsically unstable against a phase separation into areas of flat terraces and areas of step bunches. The effect is caused by the step dipole moment which lowers the potential of zero charge (pzc) of stepped surfaces. Specific calculations performed for vicinal surfaces of silver are qualitatively in keeping with experimental observations. Step bunching is likewise expected for vicinal surfaces of gold and platinum. |
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| Keywords: | Vicinal single crystal surfaces Surface thermodynamics (including phase transitions) Surface tension Solid-liquid interfaces |
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