Non-Random Island Nucleation in the Electrochemical Roughening on Pt(111)

Many chemical surface systems develop ordered nano-islands during repeated reaction and restoration. Platinum is used in electrochemical energy applications, like fuel cells and electrolysers, although it is scarce, expensive, and degrades. During oxidation-reduction cycles, simulating device operation, nucleation and growth of nano-islands occurs that eventually enhances the dissolution. Preventing nucleation would be the most effective solution. However, little is known about the atomic details of the nucleation; a process almost impossible to observe. Here, we analyze the nuclei-distance distribution mapping out the underlying atomic mechanism: a rarely observed, non-random nucleation takes place. Special, preferential nucleation sites that a priori do not exist, develop initially via a precursor and eventually form a semi-ordered Pt-oxide structure. This precursor mechanism seems to be general, possibly explaining also the nano-island formation on other surfaces/reactions.