Effect of ion-specific water structures at metal surfaces on hydrogen production.

ABSTRACT: Water structures at electrolyte/electrode interfaces play a crucial role in determining the selectivity and kinetics of electrochemical reactions. Despite extensive experimental and theoretical efforts, atomic-level details of ion-specific water structures on metal surfaces remain unclear. Here we show, using scanning tunneling microscopy and noncontact atomic force microscopy, that we can visualize water layers containing alkali metal cations on a charged Au(111) surface with atomic resolution. Our results reveal that Li⁺ cations are elevated from the surface, facilitating the formation of an ice-like water layer between the Li⁺ cations and the surface. In contrast, K⁺ and Cs⁺ cations are in direct contact with the surface. We observe that the w

SUBMITTER: Tian Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11380671 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature