Potassium adsorption on graphite(0001)

• Potassium adsorption on graphite has been studied with emphasis on the two-dimensional K adlayer below one monolayer. Data are presented for the work function versus coverage, high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS) vibrational spectra of K-adlayers, low energy electron diffraction and ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy (UPS) spectra at different coverages. The data provide information regarding the vibrational properties of the K-adlayer, the metallization of the adlayer at submonolayer coverages, and the charge transfer from the It adatoms to the graphite substrate. Analysis of the work function, HREELS, and UPS data provides a qualitatively consistent picture of the charge state of the K adatoms, where at low coverages, below a critical coverage theta(c) (theta(c) = 0.2-0.3), the K adatoms are dispersed and (partially) ionized, whereas at theta > theta(c) islands of a metallic 2 x 2 K phase develop that coexist with the dispersed K adatoms up to theta = 1. We show that it is possible to understand the variation of the work function data based on a two-phase model without invoking a depolarization mechanism of adjacent dipoles, as is normally done for alkali-metal adsorption on metal surfaces. Similarly, the intensity variation as a function of coverage of the energy loss peak at 17 meV observed in HREELS, and the photoemission peak at E-b = 0.5 eV seen in UPS can be understood from a two-phase model. A tentative explanation is presented that connects apparent discrepancies in the literature concerning the electronic structure of the K adlayer. In particular, a new assignment of the K-induced states near the Fermi level is proposed. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Nyckelord

alkali metals

chemisorption

graphite

surface electronic phenomena

Engineering Science with specialization in Solid State Physics

Teknisk fysik med inriktning mot fasta tillståndets fysik

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