Cyclic voltammetry and near edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy at the Ag L3-edge on electrochemical halogenation of Ag layers on Au(111)

One to three layers of Ag grown on a Au(111) electrode were studied by cyclic voltammetry in chloride and bromide solutions and by ex-situ near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy at the Ag L3-edge (Ag L3-NEXAFS). The one and two layers obtained by underpotential deposition exhibited reduced intensity at the absorption edge in the Ag L3-NEXAFS spectra, which suggests the gain of d-electrons in these layers. The cyclic voltammograms and the Ag L3-NEXAFS spectra indicate that the second and third layers of Ag halogenated at positive potentials, whereas the first layer remained in metallic form.