Revisiting the S−Au(111) Interaction: Static or Dynamic?

Abstract

The Au−S interaction is probably the most intensively studied interaction of Au surfaces with nonmetals, as, for example, it plays an important role in Au ore formation¹ and controls the structure and dynamics of thiol-based self-assembled monolayers (SAMs).^2-4 Various S-induced surface structures on Au(111) were recently reported for different conditions and predominantly interpreted in terms of a static Au surface. Here, we demonstrate that the Au(111) surface exhibits a very dynamic character upon interaction with adsorbed sulfur: large-scale surface restructuring and incorporation of Au atoms into a growing 2D AuS phase were observed in situ. These results provide new insight into the Au−S surface chemistry.