Abstract
Through an interplay between density functional calculations, Monte Carlo simulations and scanning tunneling microscopy experiments, we show that an intermediate coverage of CO on the Pt(110) surface gives rise to a new rough equilibrium structure with more than step atoms. CO is shown to bind so strongly to low-coordinated Pt atoms that it can break Pt-Pt bonds and spontaneously form steps on the surface. It is argued that adsorption-induced step formation may be a general effect, in particular at high gas pressures and temperatures.
- Received 15 March 2001
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.87.126102
©2001 American Physical Society