Stern layers on RuO2 (100) and (110) in electrolyte: Surface X-ray scattering studies
Electrochemical Stern layers are observed on the surfaces of RuO 2 single crystals in 0.1 M CsF electrolyte. The Stern layers formed at the interfaces of RuO 2 (110) and (100) are compared to the previously reported Stern layer on Pt (111) [Liu et al., J. Phys. Chem. Lett., 9 (2018) 1265]. While the Cs + density profiles at the potentials close to hydrogen evolution reactions are similar, the hydration layers intervening the surface and the Cs + layer are significantly denser on RuO 2 surfaces than that on Pt(111) surface, reflecting the oxygen termination of RuO 2 surfaces. The overall similarities between Stern layers on ruthenium surfaces and platinum surface suggest the universal presence of Stern layers in all well-defined solid-electrolyte interfaces.