Following adsorption kinetics at electrolyte/metal interfaces through crystal truncation scattering: sulfur on Au(111)

Combining electrochemical methods, in situ scanning tunneling microscopy, and surface x-ray diffraction allowed study of the structure and kinetics of S/Au(111) electrodes in aqueous electrolytes under potential control. Integrated intensities of a particular crystal truncation rod at anti-Bragg conditions were used to trace the sulfur adsorption and desorption as a function of electrode potential in real time. The S desorption is a first order process and the adsorption follows a Langmuir isotherm. A weakly bound S layer is found on the surface before charge transfer, and then specific adsorption occurs.

Interface dynamics for copper electrodeposition: the role of organic additives in the growth mode

An atomistic model for Cu electrodeposition under nonequilibrium conditions is presented. Cu electrodeposition takes place with a height-dependent deposition rate that accounts for fluctuations in the local Cu2+ ions concentration at the interface, followed by surface diffusion. This model leads to an unstable interface with the development of protrusions and grooves. Subsequently the model is extended to account for the presence of organic additives, which compete with Cu2+ for adsorption at protrusions, leading to a stable interface with scaling exponents consistent with those of the Edwards-Wilkinson equation. The model reproduces the interface evolution experimentally observed for Cu electrodeposition in the absence and in the presence of organic additives.

Stability analysis of branched silver electrodeposits: solid phase growth under a marginally stable regime

The mass-transport controlled growth of silver deposits at the early stage of multiple bump formation, and when a silver single needle growth regime is attained, are investigated. Linear stability analysis as proposed by Barkey, Muller, and Tobias [J. Electrochem. Soc. 136, 2199 (1989)] is applied to kinetic mesoscale data. A reasonable correlation between the current density and the average amplitude of unstable perturbation is established.