Resonance Anomalous Surface X-ray Scattering

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates the application of resonance anomalous surface X-ray scattering (RASXS) to study electrochemical interfaces, revealing polarization dependence in surface modifications like oxide formation and adsorption processes.

Contribution

It introduces the use of RASXS with polarization analysis to investigate electrochemical surface phenomena, supported by ab initio simulations and theoretical insights.

Findings

RASXS shows strong polarization dependence on modified surfaces

Simulations with FEFF8.2 match experimental data

Theoretical analysis explains polarization effects

Abstract

Resonance anomalous surface x-ray scattering (RASXS) technique was applied to electrochemical interface studies. It was used to determine the chemical states of electrochemically formed anodic oxide monolayers on platinum surface. It is shown that RASXS exhibits strong polarization dependence when the surface is significantly modified. The polarization dependence is demonstrated for three examples; anodic oxide formation, sulfate adsorption, and CO adsorption on platinum surfaces. s- and p- polarization RASXS data were simulated with the latest version of ab initio multiple scattering calculations (FEFF8.2). Elementary theoretical considerations are also presented for the origin of the polarization dependence in RASXS.