<i>In-situ </i>x-ray reflectivity study of incipient oxidation of Pt(111) surface in electrolyte solutions

Abstract

Electrochemical oxidation causes the lifting of Pt atoms of the surface layer, substantiating a place-exchange mechanism. Furthermore, for a charge transfer of ≲1.7e−/Pt atom, the flat surface is recovered by reduction, while the surface is irreversibly roughened by more excessive oxidation. Roughening involves only the atoms in the top layer.