Structural study of electrochemically induced adsorption and diffusion of metal surfaces

In the first part of this thesis, the scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) was used to characterize adsorbates physisorbed onto conductive surfaces. The STM is ideal for this because it is capable of obtaining real space images of local electronic and topographic features with atomic resolution. It also has the ability to perform in many different environments, including electrolyte, air, cryogen, and vacuum. Unless the adsorbate is chemisorbed to the surface, the adsorbate diffuses across the surface due to thermal instability which causes difficulties in imaging. This problem can be overcome by lowering the temperature of the substrate. We have built a variable temperature STM, capable of operating at liquid helium temperatures. Initial results show the ability of the instrument to image benzene physisorbed onto a graphite substrate. Further work will focus on imaging other adsorbates on gold surfaces. Scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS) will also be utilized in order to study the electronic properties of both the surface and the adsorbate.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Chemistry

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2011

Author dc:creator

• Sneddon, Douglas Dean

Contributors dc:contributor

• Gewirth, Andrew A.

• Chemistry, Physical

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 1995 Sneddon, Douglas Dean

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

AAI9543729
(UMI)AAI9543729

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/21273