An insitu scanning tunneling microscopy study of Ag electrodeposition on Au(111)

Abstract

Insitu scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) was used to study the electrodeposition of silver on Au(111) electrodes from sulfuric acid solution. The process was followed in both the underpotential and overpotential regions. STM images of underpotentially deposited silver revealed a series of ordered adlayer structures of increasing coverage with decreasing potential, namely (√3×√3)R30°, a distorted hexagonal stripe pattern, a (3×3) and, finally, a close-packed (1×1) layer. The bulk deposition was also monitored as a function of the electrode potential. At low overpotentials, a layer-by-layer growth up to at least 10 monolayers was detected. Additionally, a 3D cluster growth took place at the step edges. Finally, deposition of a thick silver layer resulted in the leveling of substrate defects and a very flat surface was obtained.

References

1. T. Hachiya and K. Itaya, Ultramicroscopy, 1992, 42, 445.
2. K. Ogaki and K. Itaya, Electrochim. Acta, 1995, 40, 1249.
3. C. H. Chen, S. M. Vesecky and A. Gewirth, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1992, 14, 451.
4. P. Mrozek, Y. E. Sung, M. Han, M. Gamboa-Aldeco, A. Wieckowski, C. H. Chen and A. Gewirth, Electrochim. Acta, 1995, 40, 17.
5. S. Garcia, D. Salinas, C. Mayer, E. Schmidt, G. Staikov and W. J. Lorenz, Electrochim. Acta, 1998, 43, 3007.
6. P. Mrozek, Y. E. Sung and A. Wieckowski, Surf. Sci., 1995, 335, 44.
7. H. Uchida, M. Miura and M. Watanabe, J. Electroanal. Chem., 1995, 386, 261.
8. S. G. Corcoran, G. S. Chakarova and K. Sieradzki, J. Electroanal. Chem., 1994, 377, 85.
9. S. G. Corcoran, G. S. Chakarova and K. Sieradzki, Phys. Rev. Lett., 1993, 71, 1585.
10. J. H. White, M. J. Albarelli, H. D. Abruña, L. Blum, O. R. Melroy, M. G. Samant, G. L. Borges and J. G. Gordon, J. Phys. Chem., 1988, 92, 92.
11. E. D. Chabala, A. R. Ramadan, T. Brunt and T. Rayment, J. Electroanal. Chem., 1996, 412, 67.
12. A. R. Ramadan, E. D. Chabala and T. Rayment, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 1999, 1, 1591.
13. D. A. Koos and G. L. Richmond, J. Phys. Chem., 1992, 96, 3730.
14. J. Wintterlin, PhD Thesis, Freie Universität Berlin, 1988.
15. C. E. Bach, R. I. Nichols, W. Beckmann, H. Meyer, A. Schulte, J. O. Besenhard and P. D. Jannakoudakis, J. Electrochem. Soc., 1993, 140, 1281.
16. W. Haiss, D. Lackey, J. K. Sass and K. H. Besocke, J. Chem. Phys., 1991, 95, 2193.
17. G. Valette, J. Electroanal. Chem., 1989, 269, 191; A. Hamelin and J. Le Coeur, Collect. Czech. Chem. Commun., 1971, 36, 714.
18. A. S. Dakkouri, Solid State Ionics, 1997, 94, 99.
19. G. J. Edens, X. Gao and M. J. Weaver, J. Electroanal. Chem., 1994, 375, 357.
20. O. M. Magnussen, J. Hotlos, R. J. Nichols, D. M. Kolb and R. J. Behm, Phys. Rev. Lett., 1990, 64, 2929.
21. O. M. Magnussen, J. Hotlos, G. Beitel, D. M. Kolb and R. J. Behm, J. Vac. Sci. Technol., B, 1991, 9, 969.
22. T. Will, PhD Thesis, University of Ulm, 1994.
23. E. Budevski, G. Staikov and W. J. Lorenz, Electrochemical Phase Formation and Growth, VCH, Weinheim, 1996, p. 211.
24. U. Stimming, R. Vogel, D. M. Kolb and T. Will, J. Power Sources, 1993, 43–44, 169.