Jack H. Baricuatro, Manuel P. Soriaga
The interfacial chemistry of Bi ultrathin films on Pd(111) was investigated using a combination of electron spectroscopic techniques (low-energy electron diffraction, LEED; and Auger electron spectroscopy, AES) and classical electrochemical methods (coulometry and voltammetry). Well-defined ultrathin Bi films prepared by potentiostatic electrodeposition onto Pd(111) followed a Stranski-Krastanov growth mode. The electrochemical reactivity of ultrathin Bi films was characterized using two surface probes: aqueous iodide and d-glucose. Exposure of the prepared Bi adlayers (ΘBi ≥ 0. 33) to aqueous iodide gave rise to (√3 × √7) I-on-Bi superlattice. The same superlattice was obtained if Bi was electrodeposited onto Pd(111)(√3 × √3)R30°-I. During the electrooxidation of d-glucose on Pd(111), the presence of Bi adlayers inhibited the by-product-induced "surface poisoning" of Pd(111) but reduced its electrocatalytic efficiency. © 2010 Springer.
Department of Chemistry, University of San Carlos, Cebu 6000, Philippines; Department of Chemistry, Texas A and M University, College Station, TX 77843, United States
