Electrochemical growth of Ag2S on Ag(111) electrodes. Coulometric and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopic analysis of the stepwise formation of the first and second monolayers of Ag2S

Slow-scan voltammetric experiments were carried out to demonstrate that the stepwise electrochemical growth of the first and second monolayers of Ag2S on Ag(111) electrodes in aqueous hydrosulfide solutions can be seen as well-defined waves. The two monolayers have similar structures based on x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and coulometric analysis. However, they have different free energies of formation since oxidative formation occurs at various electrode potentials.