Electrolyte concentration modulates the surface structure evolution of Au(111) cathodes.

ABSTRACT: Understanding the in situ surface structure of electrodes is crucial for unraveling the synergistic mechanisms of electrolytes in interfacial electrocatalysis. Herein, using in situ electrochemical scanning tunneling microscopy (EC-STM), we unveil the electrolyte concentration-driven roughening of Au(111) surfaces under cathodic polarization. As the concentration of alkali metal cations (AM⁺) ([AM⁺]) decreases, the AM⁺-induced surface structure evolution proceeds from surface corrosion at 1 M to the formation of surface pits alongside surface nanoclusters composed of released Au atoms at 0.5-0.3 M and ultimately to the generation of pit-free nanoclusters via surface atomic migration at 0.2 M. Moreover, surface modifications modulate the

SUBMITTER: Feng Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12809254 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature