Adsorbate ionicity and surface-dipole-moment changes: Cluster-model studies of Cl/Cu(100) and F/Cu(100)

Abstract

A cluster-model study of Cl and F chemisorbed at a fourfold site of Cu(100) shows that the halogen ionicity is essential -1. The interaction and bonding arise, almost entirely, from the Coulomb attraction between the charged halogen and metal and from the polarization of the electrons associated with these units; covalent bonding makes a very small contribution. The polarization dramatically reduces the dipole moment from that given by the unpolarized ionic units. Thus, changes in the work function are not a measure of the adsorbate ionicity.