Dynamic restructuring of gold surfaces during chemical reactions

作者：Friend Cynthia M^*

来源：Actualite Chimique, 2008, 320-21: 75-80.

• gold surfaces
• scanning tunneling microscopy (STM)
• diffusion of surface atoms
• reconstruction
• sulfur deposition
• release surface reactions

Professor Jacques-Emile Dubois pioneered the field of molecular visualization using molecular models constructed from experimental data. It is now possible to image and visualize atoms and molecules on solid surfaces using modern tools of surface chemistry and physics. Contrary to our expectations, seemingly immutable solids are teeming with activity on their surfaces. Atoms and molecules move around on the surface, even at room temperature. This article shows how species that bind to the surface from surrounding gases facilitate movement of surface atoms using gold surfaces to illustrate this phenomenon. The "dance" of atoms on surfaces is an essential property for important processes, such as catalytic chemical synthesis and use in microelectronic devices.

• 出版日期2008-7