Existing research has determined the process by which underpotential deposition (UPD) can be used to create a highly stable, silver chloride (AgCl) monolayer on a Au(111) crystal. The monolayer was extremely thermally stable and could resist temperatures as high as 1,000 K while also remaining resistant to oxidation. Furthermore, scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) revealed that the annealed film was more structurally perfect than the as-prepared film. This stabilized surface has potential uses in anti-corrosion fields as well as microelectronics. Our research thus set out to explore the extent of the material’s stability as well as to attempt the formation of other silver halide monolayers on gold. Using UPD and electrochemical scanning tunneling microscopy (EC-STM), we were able to deposit AgCl and silver bromide (AgBr) onto the Au(111) crystal. Importantly, the AgBr layer appeared to remain on the surface after thermal annealing treatments to 1,000 K. The presence of these structures was then verified with cyclic voltammetry and STM imaging. Further measurements will be taken to determine the stable configurations upon the gold as well as the scope of the thermal stability.

Nanoscale investigation of thermally-stable silver hailide films on Au(111)

251st National Meeting (2016)

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