In situ x-ray-diffraction and -reflectivity studies of the Au(111)/electrolyte interface: Reconstruction and anion adsorption

In situ x-ray-scattering studies of the Au(111) electrode surface have been carried out in NaF, NaCl, LiCl, CsCl, KCl, and NaBr solutions using grazing-incident-angle diffraction and reflectivity techniques. The top layer of gold atoms undergoes a reversible phase transition between the (1×1) bulk termination and a (p× 3) uniaxial discommensuration (striped) phase on changing the electrode potential. Below the critical potential, in all solutions, p=23, which is identical to that obtained in vacuum. An ordered array of discommensuration kinks is not observed. Above the critical potential, 23