(2x1)-Na surface reconstruction induced by NaCl dissociation on Ag(110) during LEED analysis

This study first reports the initial growth stages of sodium chloride (NaCl) on Ag(110) at room temperature. NaCl grows in bi-layer mode along its [100] axis and gives rise to (4 x 1) and (1 x 2) reconstructed domains for coverages lower than two monolayers (NIL), a minimal thickness inducing a bi-dimensional closed film. In addition, a 10 ML NaCl film has been examined by low energy electron diffraction (LEED). LEED analysis leads to the dissociation of the NaCl deposit in a few minutes. The NaCl dissociation implies Cl desorption from the surface and Na remaining on it. The residual Na is arranged in the form of a (2 x 1) surface reconstruction and is found to be strongly bounded to the Ag substrate. These findings have been established by using the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy technique. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.