Abstract
The experimental gap existing between surface science and heterogeneous chemical kinetics applies also to electrochemistry. Difficulties for modelling the electrode surface topography under equilibrium and non-equilibrium conditions, particularly for solid electrodes, are presented. Attention is focussed on structural problems of metal/solution interfaces encountered in corrosion and passivation of metals and in electrocatalysis, although the analysis also extends to metal electrodeposition and to semiconductor/solution interfaces. STM has already provided important imaging of preferred oriented platinum electrode surfaces as well as large surface area platinum electrodes exhibiting practically no diffusional and ohmic polarization effects. Possible applications of STM to underpotential deposition of metals and to chemically modified electrodes are envisaged among others. Some future perspectives of STM for electrochemistry are advanced.
Highlights
A few years ago the scanning tunneling microscope (STM) burst upon the scene [l]
The rapid progress in STM design is accompanied by an explosive number of possible applications, on general aspects of solid surfaces and species adsorbed on surfaces
For instance, recent research works on single crystal electrodes are quite relevant as for the first time experimental techniques initially developed for surface science studies were extended to electrochemistry for attempting a better understanding of the properties of the electrode/solution interface both under equilibrium and non-equilibrium conditions
Summary
A few years ago the scanning tunneling microscope (STM) burst upon the scene [l]. The new instrument appears to offer the possibility of providing real space images of atomic structure, a fact of fundamental advantage for understanding the microscopic structure of matter. This lecture attempts to present an area survey of some problems of electrochemistry where the future extended application of STM can be profitable. Auger electron spectroscopy X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy UV photoelectron spectroscopy Electron energy loss spectroscopy Low energy electron diffraction Work function measurements cals These electrochemical reactions can be considered as a particular type of heterogeneous chemical reactions. Any attempt to shorten this experimental gap becomes extremely valuable In this respect, for instance, recent research works on single crystal electrodes are quite relevant as for the first time experimental techniques initially developed for surface science studies were extended to electrochemistry for attempting a better understanding of the properties of the electrode/solution interface both under equilibrium and non-equilibrium conditions. For this purpose many surface physico-chemical methods either in-situ or ex-situ are being increasingly employed in electrochemistry (table 2)
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