INITIAL OXIDATION OF METALS - THERMODYNAMIC ASPECTS

We investigated the thermodynamic aspects of the submonolayer oxide phase formation on the metal surface within the framework of the lattice gas model modified for the case of two atomic states per one lattice site. The experimental data on the transition and rare-earth metals initial oxidation were explained uniformly. The regularities of halogens interaction with the metal surfaces were also analyzed in terms of the model suggested. The conclusion, concerning the nature of the lateral interaction between adatoms and their binding energy with the surface, was made on the basis of the comparison of the theoretical results and experimental data. The influence of the electronegative and electropositive impurity adatoms upon the thermodynamic characteristics of the adsorption system was analyzed. The regularities revealed are in conformity with the available experimental data.