Scanning tunneling microscopy adsorption structure

The very new techniques of scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) have yet to establish themselves in the field of corrosion science. These techniques are capable of revealing surface structure to atomic resolution, and are totally undamaging to the surface. They can be used in principle in any environment in situ, even under polarization within an electrolyte. Their application to date has been chiefly to clean metal surfaces and surfaces carrying single monolayers of adsorbed material, rendering examination of the adsorption of inhibitors possible. They will indubitably find use in passive film analysis. 

Since the porosity of carbons is responsible for their adsorption properties, the analysis of the different types of pores (size and shape), as well as the PSD, is very important to foresee the behavior of these porous solids in final applications. We can state that the complete characterization of the porous carbons is complex and needs a combination of techniques, due to the heterogeneity in the chemistry and structure of these materials. There exist several techniques for the analysis of the porous texture, from which we can underline the physical adsorption of gases, mercury porosimetry, small angle scattering (SAS) (either neutrons—SANS or x-rays—SAXS), transmission and scanning electron microscopy (TEM and SEM), scanning tunnel microscopy, immersion calorimetry, etc. 

Model electrodes with a dehned mesoscopic structure can be generated by a variety of means, e.g., electrodeposition, adsorption from colloidal solutions, and vapor deposition and on a variety of substrates. Such electrodes have relatively well-dehned physico-chemical properties that differ signihcantly from those of the bulk phase. The present work analyzes the application of in-situ STM (scanning tunneling microscopy) and ETIR (Eourier Transformed infrared) spectroscopy in determining the mesoscopic structural properties of these electrodes and the potential effect of these properties on the reactivity of the fuel cell model catalysts. Special attention is paid to the structure and catalytic behavior of supported metal clusters, which are seen as model systems for technical electrocatalysts. 

Bunge, E., Nichols, R.J., Roelfs, B., Meyer, H., and Baumgartel, H. (1995) Structure and dynamics of tetramethylthiourea adsorption on Au(lll) studied by in situ scanning tunneling microscopy. Langmuir, 12, 3060-3066. 

Eden G J, Gao X and Weaver M J 1994 The adsorption of sulphate on gold(111) in acidic acqueous media Adlayer structural interferences from infrared spectroscopy and scanning tunneling microscopy J. Eiectroanai. Chem. 375 357-66... 

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