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The impact of the structure of electrode surface on the behaviour of tetrabutylammonium cations on gold (1 0 0) and (1 1 1) electrodes has been studied using the cyclic voltammetry and differential capacity measurements. The adsorption features of these cations were found to be structure sensitive and resemble those of simple organic molecules rather than those of ions. It was also suggested that adsorption of anions from supporting electrolyte lifts the reconstruction which is modified by the tetrabutylammonium cations on the surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Our studies are focused on the stability of the unreconstructed Au(100) surface against potential-induced reconstruction in a solution containing products of tyramine (T) electro-oxidation. It is demonstrated by cyclic voltammetry and capacity measurements that in the presence of T, which reduces the stability of the reconstructed Au(100) surface, the potential-induced surface reconstruction is a fast process on condition that a preceding positive going scan is performed to potentials from the double layer region. Further extension of this scans to the potential region where the oxidation of T takes place, causes a considerable slow down of the potential-induced reconstruction. Kinetics of the potential-induced reconstruction in a solution containing products of T electro-oxidation is investigated. Inhibition of this process is explained by a strong adsorption of species produced during T oxidation on the gold surface. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]