On the HSAB based estimate of charge transfer between adsorbates and metal surfaces

► HSAB based electron transfer parameter, ΔN, is analyzed for adsorbates on metal surfaces. ► ΔN gives reasonably estimated trends of charge transfer for atomic and molecular adsorbates. ► Adatom-metal bond strength is linearly proportional to metal-to-adatom charge transfer. ► DFT calculated adsorption energies of the N, O, and Cl adatoms on 11 different metals. ► DFT calculated work functions of low Miller index surfaces for 11 different metals.