The solution-metal interface: The preparation of, characterization of, and reactions at clean metal surfaces

Much of what is known about the metal-solution interface has been discovered using electrochemical techniques from which information about reaction rates, extents of reaction, concentrations, etc., can be readily obtained. The value of electrochemical measurements to the study of metal-solution reactions is illustrated by considering examples of adsorption, metal oxidation and catalysis at an electrode surface. A comparison of metal-solution and metal-gas reactions indicates that the former are more complex and that the associated experimental difficulties are greater. The problems of cleaning a metal surface and maintaining it is in a clean state over the time scale of an experiment are considerable but important in obtaining reproducible results.