Potential of zero free charge of Pd overlayers on Pt(1 1 1)

Differential capacitance measurements of Pd overlayers on a Pt(1 1 1) electrode in dilute aqueous NaF solutions have been performed as a function of film thickness in order to determine the potential of zero free charge (pzfc). The pzfc of the first, pseudomorphic Pd monolayer on Pt(1 1 1) is −0.21 V versus SCE. By increasing the amount of deposited Pd, a clear shift of the pzfc to more positive values is observed. After deposition of an equivalent of 10 monolayers, the value approaches that of a massive Pd(1 1 1) electrode (−0.12 V versus SCE). The pzfc's for the various Pd coverages are correlated with surface structure information, derived from STM images (R. Hoyer, L.A. Kibler, D.M. Kolb, Electrochim. Acta 49 (2003) 63). Variations in the pzfc are discussed in the context of an electronic modification by the underlying substrate and are compared with corresponding data for Pd overlayers on Au(1 1 1).