Objective
Research objectives and content
We intend to study, using STM and AFM, the electrooxidation of CO on oxide-free Pt and the structure, at the atomic/molecular level, of the CO adlayers on the low index faces of ferrous metals single crystals. The latter should be completed with an IRAS study, which would help to obtain a complete picture at the molecular/atomic level of these adlayers. It has been shown that the electrooxidation of dissolved CO on oxide-free Pt takes place on the patches left free after the electrooxidation of CO chemisorbed in the bridge form (which takes place before the electrooxidation of linear CO), these patches acting as an array of microelectrodes, the size of each microelectrode being less than 3 um. We wish, using STM and AFM, to obtain a definitive proof of the existence of these microelectrodes. We expect to be able to image these microelectrodes on Pt single crystals with atomic resolution. In any case, we think that it will be possible, at least, to determine the size of these croelectrodes, both using polycrystalline Pt and Pt single crystals The use of STM for studying the structure of the CO adlayer on low index faces of Ni single crystals would allow us to compare the results obtained with what has been found in the metal/uhv interface, so that we could study the changes provoked by the presence of the electrolyte and by the control of the electrode potential. Studying also the adsorption of CO on Fe and Co single crystals would allow us to obtain a wider picture of the electroadsorption of CO on metals.
Training content (objective, benefit and expected impact)
The main objective of the proposal is to provide the applicant with a good experience in the use of scanning probe microscopes, specifically STM and AFM, probably the techniques that have made possible the most important qualitative advance in the field of interfacial electrochemistry, since they allow to study the electrode surface, in situ, the atomic level. This, together with the use of spectroelectrochemical techniques, some of which are already well known to the applicant, would provide him with a solid background for continuing his research in this field.
Links with industry / industrial relevance (22)
Fields of science
Topic(s)
Call for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
RGI - Research grants (individual fellowships)Coordinator
89081 Ulm
Germany