
- P-ISSN 1225-0163
- E-ISSN 2288-8985
Cyclic voltammetry and in situ STM were employed to examine the interfacial structures of a Pt(111) electrode in 0.1 mM KCN (pH9.5) and 0.1 mM KSCN (pH7) solutions. In situ STM atomic resolution revealed well ordered (2<TEX>${\surd}$</TEX>3<TEX>${\times}$</TEX>2<TEX>${\surd}$</TEX>3)<TEX>$R30^{\circ}$</TEX>-6CN and (<TEX>$2{\times}2$</TEX>)-2SCN structures within the double layer charging region. Six CN adsorbates formed a hollow hexagon, which embraced a coadsorbed <TEX>$K^+$</TEX> cation. In contrast, the coadsorbed <TEX>$K^+$</TEX> cations on the SCN covered Pt(111) were poorly ordered, despite adsorbed SCN formed a long range ordered (<TEX>$2{\times}2$</TEX>)-2SCN adlattice. In situ STM revealed the pronounced influence of potential in controlling the structures of compact layers at the proximity of a Pt electrode. Cathodic polarization facilitated the replacement of the coadsorbed cations by protons.