In Situ STM Study of the Surface Structure, Dissolution, and Early Stages of Electrochemical Oxidation of the Ag(111) Electrode

The surface structural modifications induced by underpotential anodic oxidation have been studied at the Ag(111)/0.1 M NaOH(aq) interface by in situ electrochemical scanning tunneling microscopy. For Epzc ≤ E ≤ −0.1 V/SHE, no specific surface structure results from the adsorption of hydroxide ions, indicating the formation of a weakly bonded and mobile layer of adsorbed hydroxide species. For −0.05 ≤ E ≤ 0.05 V/SHE, the Ag(111) surface undergoes...