Potential of zero free charge of Pd overlayers on Pt(1 1 1)

Differential capacitance measurements of Pd overlayers on a Pt(1 1 1) electrode in dilute aqueous NaF solutions have been performed as a function of film thickness in order to determine the potential of zero free charge (pzfc). The pzfc of the first, pseudomorphic Pd monolayer on Pt(1 1 1) is −0.21 V versus SCE. By increasing the amount of deposited Pd, a clear shift of the pzfc to more positive values is observed. After deposition of an equivalent of 10 monolayers, the value approaches that of a massive Pd(1 1 1) electrode (−0.12 V versus SCE). The pzfc's for the various Pd coverages are correlated with surface structure information, derived from STM images (R. Hoyer, L.A. Kibler, D.M. Kolb, Electrochim. Acta 49 (2003) 63). Variations in the pzfc are discussed in the context of an electronic modification by the underlying substrate and are compared with corresponding data for Pd overlayers on Au(1 1 1).     

Electrodeposition of Ag and Pd on a reconstructed Au(1 1 1) electrode surface studied by in situ scanning tunneling microscopy

Electrochemical deposition of Ag and potential-induced structural change of the deposited Ag layer on a reconstructed surface of Au(1 1 1) electrode were followed by in situ scanning tunneling microscope (STM). A uniform Ag monolayer was formed on a reconstructed Au(1 1 1) surface in a 50-mM H₂SO₄ solution at +0.3 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) after adding a solution containing Ag₂SO₄ so that the concentration of Ag⁺ in the STM cell became ca. 2 μM. No characteristic height corrugation such as the Au reconstruction was observed on the surface, indicating that the lifting of the substrate Au reconstruction occurred by Ag deposition. The formed Ag monolayer was converted to a net-like shaped Ag nano-pattern of biatomic height when the potential was stepped from +0.3 to −0.2 V in the solution containing 2 μM Ag⁺. This result indicates that the substrate Au(1 1 1)-(1 × 1) surface was converted to the reconstructed surface even in the presence of Ag adlayer. Quite different structure was observed for Pd deposition on a reconstructed surface of Au(1 1 1) electrode at +0.3 V and the origin for this difference between Ag and Pd deposition is discussed.     

Dependence of electrocatalytic activity on film thickness for the hydrogen evolution reaction of Pd overlayers on Au(1 1 1)

The hydrogen evolution reaction has been studied for ultrathin Pd overlayers of various thickness on Au(1 1 1) in 0.1 M H₂SO₄. A clear correlation of the electrocatalytic activity as expressed by the exchange current density and the binding energy of adsorbed hydrogen has been found. While hydrogen is bound strongest on the second Pd monolayer (ML), the respective catalytic activity is poorest for all the surface structures under study. The exchange current density increases in the order 2 ML Pd < 1 ML Pd < bulk Pd (more than 2 ML). The electronic ligand effect, a geometric effect due to pseudomorphic growth and the surface defect density belong to the most crucial parameters in relations between structure of the electrode surface and its electrocatalytic activity. The experimental results are supported by an excellent agreement with theoretical predictions.     

Electroreduction of nitrate ions on Pt(1 1 1) electrodes modified by copper adatoms

Kinetics and mechanism of nitrate ion reduction on Pt(1 1 1) and Cu-modified Pt(1 1 1) electrodes have been studied by means of cyclic voltammetry, potentiostatic current transient technique and in situ FTIRS in solutions of perchloric and sulphuric acids to elucidate the role of the background anion. Modification of platinum surface with copper adatoms or small amount of 3D-Cu crystallites was performed using potential cycling between 0.05 and 0.3 V in solutions with low concentration of copper ions, this allowed us to vary coverage θ_Cu smoothly. Following desorption of copper during the potential sweep from 0.3 to 1.0 V allowed us to estimate actual coverage of Pt surface with Cu adatoms. Another manner of the modification was also applied: copper was electrochemically deposited at several constant potentials in solutions containing 10⁻⁵ or 10⁻⁴ M Cu²⁺ and 5 mM NaNO₃ with registration of current transients of copper deposition and nitrate reduction.It has been found that nitrate reduction at the Pt(1 1 1) surface modified by copper adatoms in sulphuric acid solutions is hindered as compared to pure platinum due to induced sulphate adsorption at E < 0.3 V. Sulphate blocks the adsorption sites on the platinum surface and/or islands of epitaxial Cu(1 × 1) monolayer thus hindering the adsorption of nitrate anions and their reduction. The extent of inhibition weakly depends on the copper adatom coverage. Deposition of a small amount of bulk copper does not affect noticeably the rate of nitrate reduction.Nitrate reduction on copper-modified Pt(1 1 1) electrodes in perchloric acid solutions occurs much faster as compared to pure platinum. The steady-state currents are higher by 4 and 2 orders of magnitude at the potentials of 0.12 and 0.3 V, respectively. The catalytic effect of copper adatoms is largely caused by the facilitation of nitrate adsorption on the platinum surface near Cu_ad and/or on the islands of the Cu(1 × 1) monolayer (induced nitrate adsorption).Hydrogen adatoms block the adsorption sites on platinum for NO₃⁻ anion adsorption and inhibit reactions of nitrate reduction even at moderate surface coverage.The products of nitrate reduction in sulphuric and perchloric acids are essentially the same (NO and ammonia) irrespective of the presence or absence of Cu on the platinum surface.     

Oxidation of formaldehyde and ethanol on Au(1 1 1) and Au(1 1 1) modified by spontaneously deposited Ru in sulfuric acid solution

The oxidation of formaldehyde and ethanol on both pure Au(1 1 1) and Au(1 1 1) modified by approximately 0.3 monolayer (ML) of spontaneously deposited Ru was studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV) in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ solution containing either 0.25 M formaldehyde or 0.35 M ethanol. In situ scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and CV were employed to characterize the Au(1 1 1) and Ru/Au(1 1 1) surfaces. The oxidation of HCHO on Ru/Au(1 1 1) commences at 0.1 V more negative potential than on pure Au(1 1 1). From 0.25 to 0.55 V vs. (Ag/AgCl), the reaction occurs with increasing current, showing a peak at a potential of 0.43 V. It is assumed that the increasing anodic activity of the Ru/Au(1 1 1) surface is associated with the oxidation of some reaction intermediates, facilitated by the presence of Ru in its metallic state. On the other hand, the oxidation of ethanol on Ru/Au(1 1 1) commences at 0.1 V more positive potential than on pure Au(1 1 1), and proceeds in the potential region from 0.2 to 0.5 V with significantly smaller currents, showing a peak at 0.43 V. This inhibiting effect is explained by the deactivation of the most active Au(1 1 1) step sites by high coverage with Ru islands. The appearance of a small peak at 0.43 V is most likely associated to the oxidation of some intermediates during ethanol oxidation at the Ru/Au step sites formed on the Au(1 1 1) terraces by the presence of a small coverage with Ru islands.     

Irreversible adsorption of Sn adatoms on basal planes of Pt single crystal and its impact on electrooxidation of ethanol

The behaviours of irreversible adsorption (IRA) of Sn adatoms on Pt(1 0 0), Pt(1 1 1) and Pt(1 1 0) electrodes were characterized using cyclic voltammetry. It has revealed that Sn can adsorb irreversibly on Pt(1 0 0) and Pt(1 1 1), while not significantly on Pt(1 1 0) electrode. Quantitative analysis of the relationship between 1 − θ_H and θ_Sn suggests that Sn adatoms may adsorb preferably on hollow sites of Pt(1 1 1) (threefold) and Pt(1 0 0) (fourfold) planes, which is in accordance respectively with the values 0.31 and 0.21 of coverage of IRA Sn adatoms in saturation adsorption determined on these electrodes. The IRA Sn adatoms on different basal planes of Pt single crystal yield different impact on the electrocatalytic oxidation of ethanol. It has revealed that the IRA Sn adatoms on Pt(1 0 0) electrode have declined the activity for ethanol oxidation, while IRA Sn adatoms on Pt(1 1 1) have enhanced remarkably the electrocatalytic activity with Sn coverage θ_Sn between 0.09 and 0.18. The oxidation peak potential E_p and the current density j_p of ethanol oxidation on Pt(1 1 1)/Sn were varied with θ_Sn, and the highest j_p (1258 μA cm⁻²) as well as the lowest E_p (0.20 V) were measured simultaneously at θ_Sn around 0.14. In comparison with the data obtained on a bare Pt(1 1 1), the E_p was shifted negatively by 65 mV and the j_p has been enhanced to about 1.7 times on the Pt(1 1 1)/Sn (θ_Sn = 0.14), which is ascribed to hydroxyl species adsorption at relatively low potentials on Pt(1 1 1)/Sn surfaces. The current study is of importance in revealing the fundamental aspects of modification of the basal planes of Pt single crystal using Sn adatoms, and the impact of this modification on electrocatalytic activity towards ethanol oxidation.     

Alloy formation during the electrochemical growth of a Ag-Cd ultrathin film on Au(1 1 1)

The electrodeposition of a Ag/Cd ultrathin film on a Au(1 1 1) surface and the formation of a surface alloy during this process have been studied using classical electrochemical techniques and in situ Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM). The films were obtained from separate electrolytes containing Ag⁺ or Cd²⁺ ions and from a multicomponent solution containing both ions. First, the polarization conditions were adjusted in order to form a Ag film by overpotential deposition. Afterwards, a Cd monolayer was formed onto this Au(1 1 1)/Ag modified surface by underpotential deposition. The voltammetric behavior of the Cd UPD and the in situ STM images indicated that the ultrathin Ag films were uniformly deposited and epitaxially oriented with respect to the Au(1 1 1) surface. Long time polarization experiments showed that a significant Ag-Cd surface alloying accompanied the formation of the Cd monolayer on the Au(1 1 1)/Ag modified surface, independent of the Ag film thickness. In the case of an extremely thin Ag layer (1 Ag ML) the STM images and long time polarization experiments revealed a solid state diffusion process of Cd, Ag, and Au atoms which can be responsible for the formation of different Ag-Cd or Au-Ag-Cd alloy phases.     

Resonance surface X-ray scattering technique to determine the structure of electrodeposited Pt ultrathin layers on Au(1 1 1) surface

It is demonstrated that resonance surface X-ray scattering (RSXS), in which incident X-ray energy close to the Pt L_III absorption edge (11.55 keV) is used, is very useful for the determination of the structure of electrodeposited Pt thin layers on a Au(1 1 1) surface. This technique was applied to characterize the structure of electrodeposited Pt layers on Au(1 1 1) substrates prepared under two extreme conditions, which are known to provide rough and atomically flat layers. Detailed structural information was obtained by RSXS measurements and it was confirmed that the structures of the Pt layers were as reported. Pt atoms of the atomically flat monolayer were found to be situated at the threefold hollow cubic closest packing (ccp) sites of the Au(1 1 1)-(1 × 1) surface.     

Ethanol electro-oxidation over Pt(h k l): Comparative study on the reaction intermediates probed by FTIR and SFG spectroscopies

We have investigated the adsorbed intermediates of ethanol electro-oxidation at Pt(1 1 1), Pt(1 0 0) and Pt(1 1 0) using FTIR and SFG spectroscopies. Mainly, we focus on the CO formation. The aim of the present work is to compare the responses coming from two different surface probes: FTIR spectroscopy and SFG spectroscopy. Between 1800 cm⁻¹ and 2300 cm⁻¹, our FTIR and SFG results are in good agreement. Specifically in the case of the ethanol/Pt(1 1 1) interface, the SFG spectroscopy presents higher sensibility to the interface response compared to the FTIR spectroscopy.     

Potential dependent adsorption behaviour of thiothymine derivatives on the Au(1 1 1) electrode

The adsorption behaviour of 2-thiothymine and 4-thiothymine on a Au(1 1 1) single crystal electrode has been studied using cyclic voltammetry and X-ray photo electron spectroscopy. For both thio derivatives the adsorption region is restricted due to the onset of reversible oxidization to 2,2′-bis(1H-5-methylpyrimidin-4-one-2-yl)-disulphide or 4,4′-bis(1H-5-methylpyrimidin-2-one-4-yl)-disulphide at anodic potentials. Two different orientations of adsorbed 2-thiothymine have been observed. Between −350 mV and −700 mV versus Ag/Ag⁺ the molecule is solely chemisorbed via its sulphur atom and adopts an upright orientation towards the surface. However at more negative potentials 2-thiothymine is reoriented into a slightly tilted position interacting via its S, N and O atoms with the surface. In contrast, 4-thiothymine exhibits only one adsorption geometry. Between −300 mV and −700 mV versus Ag/Ag⁺ it is chemisorbed via sulphur and nitrogen adopting a slightly tilted position. At −950 mV versus Ag/Ag⁺ 4-thiothymine is irreversibly reduced. The sulphur substituent is eliminated and covers the substrate.     

Electrochemical characterization of kinked Pt(7 5 1) surface in acidic media

Kinked Pt(7 5 1) surface was prepared and its electrochemical behaviors under different pretreatment conditions in acidic media were investigated systematically by using cyclic voltammetry. The results demonstrated that the upper limit of potential scanning and cooling atmospheres after the Pt(7 5 1) having been flame-annealed significantly influence the voltammetric behavior of Pt(7 5 1) electrode. The electric charge of hydrogen adsorption-desorption slightly increases with increasing the upper limit of potential scanning. Different cooling atmospheres give rise impacts to the surface structure of Pt(7 5 1) electrode, but hardly change the amount of hydrogen adsorption-desorption sites on the electrode. In addition, the so-called third oxidation peak appears near −0.08 V in H₂SO₄ media and −0.05 V in HClO₄ solution because of the presence of (1 1 0) terrace sites on this surface, and a plausible mechanism for the formation of this current peak is discussed. The results are of importance in understanding the electroadsorption properties of the kinked Pt(7 5 1) surface, as well as in further exploration of this kinked electrode in electrocatalysis.     

In situ FTIRS and EQCM studies of glycine adsorption and oxidation on Au(1 1 1) electrode in alkaline solutions

Dissociative adsorption and oxidation of glycine on Au(1 1 1) single crystal electrodes in alkaline solutions were studied in the present paper using cyclic voltammetry (CV), in situ FTIR spectroscopy (FTIRS) and electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM). In situ FTIRS results demonstrated that adsorbates derived from glycine dissociative adsorption are adsorbed cyanide anions (CN_ad⁻). The CN_ad⁻ species are stable on Au(1 1 1) surface in the potential region from −0.8 to 0.0 V, and can be oxidized when electrode potential is increased above 0.1 V. The oxidation of CN_ad⁻ releases surface active sites for further glycine oxidation. The products of CN_ad⁻ oxidation were determined by in situ FTIRS as cyanate (OCN⁻), aurous cyanide (AuCN) and aurous di-cyanide (Au(CN)₂⁻). The formation of Au(CN)₂⁻ may initiate a dissolution of Au(1 1 1) surface atoms, which has been confirmed by a loss of surface mass determined in EQCM studies. It has revealed also that at high electrode potential region glycine may be split on Au(1 1 1) surface to form AuCH₂NH₂ and AuCOO⁻ adsorbates. Further oxidation of these species yielded CO₂ and -NH₂, and the AuCH₂NH₂ may be also combined with surface Au oxide to form methylamine. The CO₂ species produced in glycine oxidation are all retained in alkaline solutions to generate carbonate (CO₃²⁻) and bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻) species that were clearly determined by in situ FTIRS studies.     

The initial stages of palladium deposition onto Pt(1 1 1)

The electrodeposition of Pd onto Pt(1 1 1) from PdCl₂ and PdSO₄ containing solutions was studied by cyclic voltammetry and in situ scanning tunnelling microscopy. Pd deposition starts by forming a pseudomorphic monolayer in both cases. While in the presence of chloride this monolayer is deposited at underpotentials, its formation in chloride-free solution is kinetically hindered to such an extent that the deposition peak is shifted negative of the equilibrium potential. Detailed structure information has been obtained from STM data about the Pd layer as well as the co-adsorbed anions. Bulk deposition from the chloride-containing solution proceeds via a quasi layer-by-layer fashion. However, the particular electrochemical properties of the first Pd monolayer disappear only after deposition of the equivalent of four more Pd layers. The electrochemical behaviour of such films is similar to that of a rough Pd(1 1 1) surface. Pd bulk deposition from chloride-free solution leads to the formation of three-dimensional clusters from the very beginning. About 10 ML equivalents are needed in that case to completely cover the first Pd monolayer.     

In situ radiotracer and voltammetric study of the formation of surface adlayers in the course of Cr(VI) reduction on polycrystalline and (1 1 1) oriented platinum

This paper is focused on the in situ radiotracer and voltammetric studies of the induced HSO₄⁻/SO₄²⁻ adsorption at Pt(poly) and Pt(1 1 1) surfaces in 0.1 mol dm⁻³ HClO₄ solution in the course of Cr(VI) electroreduction. Besides this, the sorption behavior of HSO₄⁻/SO₄²⁻ ions on bare Pt(poly) and Pt(1 1 1) electrodes is compared and discussed. From the experimental results it can be stated that: (i) although the extent of bisulfate/sulfate adsorption is strongly dependent upon the crystallographic orientation of Pt surfaces, the maximum coverage on the Pt(1 1 1) does not exceed 0.2 monolayer; (ii) the Cr(VI) electroreduction on both poly- and (1 1 1) oriented platinum proceeds via a ce (chemical-electron-transfer) mechanism to yield Pt surfaces covered with intermediate surface adlayers containing Cr(VI) particles (and reduced Cr-containing adspecies) and ‘strongly bonded’ HSO₄⁻/SO₄²⁻ ions; (iii) while the coverage of platinum surfaces by the intermediate complexes formed in the course of Cr(VI) electroreduction at E > 0.20 V is basically independent of the crystallographic orientation of the Pt electrode, the onset for rapid Cr(VI) reduction is highly affected by the nature and crystallographic orientation of the electrode.     

Redox behavior of hemin at p-GaAs(1 0 0) electrode

Electrochemical behavior of hemin on p-GaAs(1 0 0) electrodes was examined by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in phosphate buffer solutions (PBS) at pH 7.45. CV investigations in 0.6 mM hemin in PBS revealed a pair of reversible peaks at −0.44 and −0.32 V vs. SCE resulting in stable adsorbed species. EIS spectra analysis pointed out that these adsorbed species bring significant changes in the semiconductor surface state population and the potential drop distribution between the semiconductor space charge region and the Helmholtz layer.     

Carbon monoxide oxidation on Au(1 1 1) surface decorated by spontaneously deposited Pt

Platinum is deposited spontaneously on Au(1 1 1) surface from 1 mM H₂PtCl₆ + 1 M HClO₄ solution using multiple deposition procedure. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis has shown that after immersion into the Pt containing solution and rinsing with water, Pt(OH)₂ resides on the Au(1 1 1) substrate. Consecutive depositions as well as in situ scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and electrochemical measurements are performed on previously electrochemically reduced Pt/Au(1 1 1) surfaces. Only homogeneous distribution of thus deposited Pt islands is observed by in situ STM. With subsequent depositions, the width of deposited Pt islands increases, but stays lower than 10 nm, while a significant increase of Pt islands height is observed, leading to moderate increase of the coverage. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) profiles of obtained Pt/Au(1 1 1) surfaces, and CO stripping curves are recorded in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ solution. CO oxidation takes place only at higher potentials shifting negatively with increasing coverage. This is discussed with respect to Pt islands width and height distributions and to the influence of the Au(1 1 1) substrate surface.     

The point of zero charge of adsorbed monolayers: Pt(111) covered by Ag

The pzc of an Ag monolayer on Pt(111) has been determined according to the Gouy Chapman theory by recording the capacitance-potential curves. A value of −0.48 V versus SCE was found which is 0.24 V higher than that of Ag(111). This difference is close to that expected from the difference in work functions of Ag(111) and a monolayer of Ag on Pt(111) (0.26 eV). The pzc of bulk Ag deposits is identical to that of Ag(111), confirming that Ag deposition is epitaxial.     

Surface X-ray scattering of high index plane of platinum containing kink atoms in solid-liquid interface: Pt(3 1 0) = 3(1 0 0)-(1 1 0)

Surface structure of Pt(3 1 0) = 3(1 0 0)-(1 1 0), which contains kink atoms in the step, has been determined with the use of in situ surface X-ray scattering (SXS) in the double layer region (0.50 V(RHE)) in 0.1 M HClO₄. Clean Pt(3 1 0) surface has pseudo (1 × 1) structure on which lateral displacements of 2-9% and 0.3-1% are found along a and b directions, respectively, whereas the surfaces of Pt(1 1 0) = 2(1 1 1)-(1 1 1) and Pt(3 1 1) = 2(1 0 0)-(1 1 1) are reconstructed to (1 × 2) according to previous reports. Interlayer spacing between the first and the second layers d₁₂ is contracted about 5% compared with the bulk spacing, whereas those between underlying layers are expanded down to fourth layer. Fully adsorbed CO has no effect on the surface structure of Pt(3 1 0). This result differs from that on Pt(1 1 1), where d₁₂ is expanded after CO adsorption.     

Carbon monoxide oxidation and nitrous oxide reduction on Rh/Pt(1 1 1) electrodes

Rhodium adlayers on Pt(1 1 1) substrates have been prepared by electrodeposition from dilute Rh³⁺ acidic solutions. Resulting deposition rates are lower than 0.03 ML min⁻¹. Pseudomorphic growth of the first monolayer has been confirmed by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) as well as the formation of small compact islands in the submonolayer range. Carbon monoxide oxidation and nitrous oxide reduction have been studied on Rh/Pt(1 1 1) electrodes. The oxidation of carbon monoxide is catalyzed by the presence of very low coverages of rhodium as demonstrated by the negative shift of the CO oxidation profile. Results are compatible with a bifunctional mechanism for catalysis including CO diffusion in the Pt domains toward the edges of the islands (splitting of the voltammetric oxidation profile). The reduction of nitrous oxide occurs at different potential and with different rates on Pt domains, at the center of the Rh islands and at their edges, being the latter sites especially active. In any case, the adsorptive and catalytic activity of the adlayers differ from those of the bulk Pt(1 1 1) and Rh(1 1 1) electrodes. The existence of strain in the film together with a diminution in the coordination number for adatoms at the edges of the islands are considered to be at the origin of the observed behavior.     

Kinetic study of nitrate reduction on Pt(1 1 0) electrode in perchloric acid solution

The kinetics of electrocatalytic reduction of nitrate on Pt(1 1 0) in perchloric acid was studied with cyclic voltammetry at a very low sweep rate of 1 mV s⁻¹, where pseudo-steady state condition was assumed to be achieved at each electrode potential. Stationary current-potential curves in perchloric acid in the absence of nitrate showed two peaks at 0.13 V and 0.23 V (RHE) in the so-called adsorbed hydrogen region. The nitrate reduction proceeded in the potential region of the latter peak in the pH range studied. The reaction orders with respect to NO₃⁻ and H⁺ were observed to be close to 0 and 1, respectively. The former value means that the adsorbed NO₃⁻ at a saturated coverage is one of the reactants in the rate-determining step (rds). The latter value means that hydrogen species is also a reactant above or on the rds. The Tafel slope of nitrate reduction was −66 mV per decade, which is taken to be approximately −59 mV per decade, indicating that the rds is a pure chemical reaction following electron transfer. We discuss two possible reaction schemes including bimolecular and monomolecular reactions in the rds to explain the kinetics and suggest that the reactants in the rds are adsorbed hydrogen and adsorbed NO₃⁻ with the assistance of the results in our recent report for nitrate reduction on Pt(S)[n(1 1 1) × (1 1 1)] electrodes: the nitrate reduction mechanism can be classified within the framework of the Langmuir-Hinshelwood mechanism.