Electrochemistry of the I-on-Pd single-crystal interface: studies by UHV-EC and in situ STM

A single chemisorbed layer of zerovalent I atoms has been found to enhance, at ambient temperatures, the reactivity of Pd electrode surfaces. Three unique reactions (anodic dissolution in non-corrosive electrolyte, regeneration of well-ordered single-crystal surfaces, and "electrochemical digital etching") have been investigated at Pd(111) and Pd(100) single-crystal electrodes and are described in this paper. Experimental measurements were based upon a combination of electrochemistry (EC), low-energy electron diffraction (LEED), and in-situ scanning tunneling microscopy (STM).