Adsorption trends for water, hydroxyl, oxygen, and hydrogen on transition-metal and platinum-skin surfaces

Using density-functional theory calculations the adsorption energies for water, hydroxyl, oxygen and hydrogen on Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, Ir, Pt, and Au surfaces have been investigated. By replacing the topmost layer of all surfaces with a layer of platinum atoms, a simple model for so-called platinum skins was constructed. Apart from providing a close connection to the area of fuel cells the comparison with platinum-skin surfaces also helps to elucidate clear trends regarding adsorption on clean surfaces. The correlation between these trends and experimental trends in the literature is discussed.