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Self-assembly of acetate adsorbates drives atomic rearrangement on the Au(110) surface

Author

Listed:
  • Fanny Hiebel

    (Harvard University)

  • Bonggeun Shong

    (Harvard University
    Present address: Department of Chemistry, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, South Korea)

  • Wei Chen

    (School of Engineering and Applied Science, Harvard University
    Harvard University
    International Center for Quantum Design of Functional Materials (ICQD), Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, and Synergetic Innovation Center of Quantum Information and Quantum Physics, University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Robert J. Madix

    (School of Engineering and Applied Science, Harvard University)

  • Efthimios Kaxiras

    (School of Engineering and Applied Science, Harvard University
    Harvard University)

  • Cynthia M. Friend

    (Harvard University
    School of Engineering and Applied Science, Harvard University)

Abstract

Weak inter-adsorbate interactions are shown to play a crucial role in determining surface structure, with major implications for its catalytic reactivity. This is exemplified here in the case of acetate bound to Au(110), where the small extra energy of the van der Waals interactions among the surface-bound groups drives massive restructuring of the underlying Au. Acetate is a key intermediate in electro-oxidation of CO2 and a poison in partial oxidation reactions. Metal atom migration originates at surface defects and is likely facilitated by weakened Au–Au interactions due to bonding with the acetate. Even though the acetate is a relatively small molecule, weak intermolecular interaction provides the energy required for molecular self-assembly and reorganization of the metal surface.

Suggested Citation

  • Fanny Hiebel & Bonggeun Shong & Wei Chen & Robert J. Madix & Efthimios Kaxiras & Cynthia M. Friend, 2016. "Self-assembly of acetate adsorbates drives atomic rearrangement on the Au(110) surface," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-8, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:7:y:2016:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms13139
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms13139
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