The single crystal metal-non-aqueous solvent interface. Underpotential deposition of Cd on Ag (111) in propylene carbonate

The underpotential deposition of cadmium on Ag (111) in propylene carbonate using either lithium perchlorate or tetra-n-butylammonium perchlorate as supporting electrolytes has been found to yield sharp and well defined voltammetric peaks. The results obtained in aqueous LiClO₄ and tetraethylammonium perchlorate solutions for the same UPD-host metal system were, however, found to be different from those in propylene carbonate, particularly in the case of LiClO₄ for which the voltammetry was characterized by broad and ill-defined features. This novel solvent-induced effect has been attributed to differences in the extent of specific adsorption of the perchlorate anion in water and PC and/or to solvent-metal substrate interactions.