Atomic relaxation at ordered electrode surfaces probed by scanning tunneling microscopy: Au(111) in aqueous solution compared with ultrahigh-vacuum environments

Abstract

Detailed surface atomic rearrangements at the ordered Au(111)-aqueous interface triggered by negative electrode charges are examined by in situ scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). Not only the (√3 × 22) atomic reconstruction, but also the longer-range superstructures, formed at this electrochemical interface are seen to be remarkably similar to those observed previously by STM on clean Au(111) in ultrahigh vacuum.