Stern layers on RuO2 (100) and (110) in electrolyte: Surface X-ray scattering studies

Abstract

© 2020 Elsevier B.V. Electrochemical Stern layers are observed on the surfaces of RuO2 single crystals in 0.1 M CsF electrolyte. The Stern layers formed at the interfaces of RuO2 (110) and (100) are compared to the previously reported Stern layer on Pt(111) [Liu et al., J. Phys. Chem. Lett., 9 (2018) 1265]. While the Cs+ density profiles at the potentials close to hydrogen evolution reactions are similar, the hydration layers intervening the surface and the Cs+ layer are significantly denser on RuO2 surfaces than that on Pt(111) surface, reflecting the oxygen termination of RuO2 surfaces. The overall similarities between Stern layers on ruthenium surfaces and platinum surface suggest the universal presence of Stern layers in all well-defined solid-electrolyte interfaces.