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Structural and electronic properties of Pt modified Au(100) surface.
Artur Trembułowicz1, Agata Sabik2, Leszek Jurczyszyn2
1University of Wroclaw, Faculty of Physics and Astronomy, Institute of Experimental Physics, Pl. Maxa Borna 9, 50-204, Wroclaw, Poland. artur.trembulowicz@uwr.edu.pl.
Scientific Reports
|March 10, 2022
Summary
Platinum deposition on gold surfaces creates unique alloy structures. Scanning tunneling microscopy reveals ordered Pt-Au alloy phases and nanowires, crucial for understanding bimetallic catalysis.
Area of Science:
- Surface Science
- Materials Science
- Catalysis
Background:
- Bimetallic platinum-gold (Pt-Au) systems exhibit unique catalytic properties.
- Understanding the electronic and geometric structures of Pt on Au surfaces is key to their application.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the surface morphology of platinum deposited on monocrystalline Au(100) surfaces.
- To explore the electronic properties of the resulting Pt-Au alloy structures.
Main Methods:
- Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM) was used to study surface morphology at various platinum coverages.
- Ab-initio calculations were performed to investigate the electronic properties of the Pt-Au alloy structures.
- Annealing experiments were conducted to observe morphological changes.
Main Results:
- Elongated, mono-atomic height islands of disordered Pt-Au alloy and nanowire-like features were observed.
- Annealing resulted in the disappearance of islands, forming flat Pt-Au alloy phases and hex-stripes.
- Ordered c(2×2) Pt-Au alloy domains were identified, with distinct Pt and Au atom appearances in STM.
- Ab-initio calculations confirmed Pt-Au bonding and electron d-state redistribution in Pt.
Conclusions:
- The study reveals the formation of distinct Pt-Au alloy structures on Au(100) surfaces.
- The findings provide insights into the atomic arrangement and electronic properties of bimetallic Pt-Au systems.
- This work contributes to understanding the fundamental surface science of Pt-Au alloys for catalytic applications.

