Significant two-step potential-induced surface reconstruction observed on Au(111) in aqueous sulfuric acid

Abstract

We report in this communication, through in situ STM images correlated with time, and ab initio simulations of binding energies, how potential-induced surface reconstruction is formed on Au(111) single crystal in 0.1 M H2SO4. It was found that while the electrode potential after lifting the reconstructed surface is switched back to a more negative value than the potential of zero charge, the formation process of the reconstructed surface goes through two consecutive routes. In the more kinetically favorable step, and within a few minutes, the reconstructed surface follows three different lattice directions with a high proportion of semi zig-zag structures. However, by maintaining the negative applied potential, the surface reconstruction rearranges to a straighter reconstructed pattern in the second step, which is more energetically favorable.

Keywords

• Au(111)
• Electrochemistry
• Surface reconstruction
• Surface dynamic
• Ab initio simulations