Roughening of thin silver films in aqueous electrolytes

Abstract

The reactivity of silver surfaces in aqueous electrolytes, i.e. corrosion and roughening, is studied by monitoring simultaneously changes in resistivity and transmittance of thin silver films. Atomic-scale and large-scale roughening are discriminated by the different sensitivity of the transmittance and resistance responses. Results for different surface conditions produced on a thin silver film by adsorption of water, pyridine and Cl^– ions, as well as the potential dependence, are interpreted by considering that adsorbates induce roughening of the surface.