Electrode surface studies by LEED-Auger

The role the electronic and geometric structures of the metal surface play in electrochemical surface reactions remains as yet an unknown factor. In order to investigate these surface contributions to electrochemical reactions, a low-energy-electron diffraction (LEED) and an Auger electron spectrometer (AES) have been combined with an electrochemical thin-layer cell. The surface to be studied electrochemically is first characterized by LEED-AES and then transferred into a second chamber where it becomes part of the electrochemical thin-layer cell. Electrochemical reactions are then run on this surface. The sample may then be transferred back to the LEED-AES chamber for further characterization. Data on Pt (111) will be presented.