Time-resolved surface differential diffraction study of Ag electrodeposition on Au(111) and the role of surface stress

Abstract

An insitu X-ray diffraction investigation using surface differential diffraction (SDD) was carried out to study the mechanism and kinetics of Ag electrodeposition on Au(111). The effect of the surface stress on SDD measurements employing a thin film electrode has been investigated, which reveals that stress-induced peak shifts can account for some inconsistency in previous SDD results. Potential dynamic and potential step modes of deposition were used and the adlayer spacing of Ag on Au(111) was determined as a function of potential and time, respectively. A structural change in adlayer spacing during Ag electrodeposition on Au(111) was observed in both modes of deposition, which is consistent with a transition from initial adsorption in a mixture of bridge and atop sites to three-fold hollow sites.