The structure of the electrochemical double layer: Ag(111) in alkaline electrolyte

The structure of the electrochemical double layer at the interface between a Ag(111) electrode and 0.1 M KOH electrolyte has been probed using in-situ surface X-ray scattering (SXS). Detailed modeling of the SXS data at negative potential (E = -1.0 V versus SCE) is consistent with the presence of an hydrated K(+) cation layer at a distance of 4.1 +/- 0.3 angstrom from the Ag surface and at positive potential (E = -0.2 V), indicates that the presence of OH(ad) stabilizes the hydrated K(+) cations through a non-covalent interaction forming a compact double layer structure in which the Ag-K(+) distance is reduced to 3.6 +/- 0.2 angstrom. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.