The chemistry of chlorine on Ag(1 1 1) over the sub-monolayer range: A density functional theory investigation

Chlorine adsorption on Ag(1 1 1) as a function of coverage has been studied by means of periodic density functional theory. Incorporation of Cl into the substrate leading to a surface AgCl film has also been considered. It is concluded that at low coverage (θCl < 0.2 ML) on-surface adsorption is favoured over Cl penetration while at higher coverage on-surface and subsurface adsorption become both thermodynamically and kinetically favoured. Implications for the Cl promoted silver catalyzed ethylene partial oxidation are discussed.