The work function of carburized rhenium

Abstract

Variations of the electronic work function of carburized rhenium foils containing approximately 5 at.% carbon have been observed using the contact potential difference technique. Surface work function was observed to vary between 5.25 and 4.1 eV, with the work function of pure rhenium taken as 5.0 eV. Decrease in work function has been ascribed to the formation of graphitic layers on the surface at temperatures below the temperature of saturated solubility. The high work function surface was observed with all carbon in solution and has been ascribed to the presence of amorphous carbon near the surface.