X-ray standing-wave fluorescence analysis of electrodeposited Tl on clean and oxygen-reconstructed Cu(111)

Abstract

Tl submonolayers were deposited from an aqueous electrolyte on a Cu(111) surface. The emersed electrodes were studied with standing x-ray wave fields to determine the position of the Tl atom relative to the bulk diffraction planes. The results reveal that well-ordered Tl planes are stable outside the electrolyte. In addition, trace amounts of oxygen present in the electrolyte cause a 0.4-A\r{} inward shift of the Tl adsorbate which is attributed to an oxygen-induced reconstruction of the Cu surface.