ATR-SEIRAS––an approach to probe the reactivity of Pd-modified quasi-single crystal gold film electrodes

Quasi-single crystalline gold films of 20 nm thickness and preferential (1 1 1) orientation on Si hemispheres were modified by controlled potentiostatic deposition of Pd (sub-ML, ML, multi-L) from sulphate and/or chloride-containing electrolyte. The electrochemical properties of these model electrodes were characterised for hydrogen and (hydrogen-) sulphate adsorption as well as for surface oxide formation by cyclic voltammetry. Conditions were developed to fabricate defined and stable Pd monolayers. In situ ATR-SEIRAS (Attenuated Total Reflection Surface Enhanced Infrared Reflection Absorption Spectroscopy) experiments were carried out to describe the electrochemical double layer of Pd modified gold film electrodes in contact with aqueous 0.1 M H2SO4 with focus on interfacial water and anion adsorption. Based on an analysis of the non-resonant IR background signal the potential of zero charge is estimated to 0.10–0.20 V (vs. RHE). CO was found to be weakly physisorbed in atop sites on Au(1 1 1-20 nm)/0.1 M H2SO4 only in CO saturated electrolyte. CO, deposited on a quasi-single crystal gold film modified with 1 ML Pd, is chemisorbed with preferential occupation of bridge sites and atop positions at step edges. Saturated CO adlayers, as obtained by deposition at 0.10 V, contain isolated water species and are covered by a second layer of hydrogen bonded water. Potentiodynamic SEIRAS experiments of CO electro-oxidation on Pd-modified gold film electrodes demonstrate clearly the existence of a “pre-oxidation” region. They also provide spectroscopic evidence that isolated water and weakly hydrogen bonded water are consumed during the reaction and that atop CO on defect sites is a preferential reactant. The simultaneous in situ monitoring of the potential- and time-dependent evolution of characteristic vibrational modes in the OH- and CO-stretching regions are in agreement with the Gilman (“reactant pair”) mechanism of CO oxidation.