Preparation of thin film Cu–Pt(1 1 1) near-surface alloys: One small step towards up-scaling model single crystal surfaces

Abstract

A method for the preparation of Pt(111) like thin films and thin film Cu–Pt(111) near-surface alloys (where Cu is preferentially located in the subsurface region) is reported in detail. Cyclic voltammograms of the resultant Pt(111)-like thin films in 0.1M HClO4 demonstrate characteristic “butterfly” peaks attributed to the disorder/order phase transition in the adsorbed *OH layer, typical for a large Pt(111) crystals. Modification of the film surface with a monolayer of Cu and subsequent annealing in a reducing Ar/H2(5%) atmosphere, the voltammograms resemble those obtained for Cu–Pt(111) near-surface alloys prepared on commercial bulk single crystals. This method shows promise for the fabrication of extended (111)-type alloy surfaces of Pt and its alloys and can additionally be used to up-scale model objects for wider industrial and laboratory applications.