The initial stages of silver fluorination: a scanning tunneling microscopy investigation

We use low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy (LT-STM) to characterize the early stages of silver fluorination. On Ag(100), we observe only one adsorbate species, which shows a bias-dependent STM topography. Notably, at negative bias voltages Vb<0, the apparent shape can be described as a round protrusion surrounded by a moat-like depression (sombrero). As the voltage increases, the apparent shape changes, eventually evolving into a round depression. From the STM images, we determine the adsorption site to be the hollow position. On Ag(110) we find adsorbates with three distinct STM topographies. One type exhibits the same shape change with Vb as observed on Ag(100), that is, from a sombrero shape to a round depression as the voltage changes from negative to positive values; the other two types are observed as round depressions regardless of Vb. From the STM images, we find the three adsorbates to be sitting on the short-bridge, hollow and top position on the Ag(110) surface, with a relative abundance of 60%, 35% and 5%.