Investigation into dynamics of Au electrodeposition based on analysis of SERS spectral time series

A considerable amount of electrochemical and structural information is available on Au electrodeposition, but its dynamic aspects are still largely ignored. In this paper, an investigation of the microscopic Au electrodeposition dynamics is presented. Extensive sets of SERS spectra during prolonged potentiostatic electrodeposition (∼3 h) are recorded. Two different spot sizes have been used, in order to also obtain some information on the coupling of temporal and spatial fluctuations at the cathodic surface. The time evolution of the SERS background and the intensity of the stretching band of adsorbed CN- have been used as markers of surface morphology and chemistry respectively. Statistical analyses of these quantities allowed extraction of detailed information at the coupled dynamics of SERS enhancement and surface concentration of CN-. The spectroelectrochemical investigation is complemented by SEM observations and mathematical modelling of the coupled dynamics of cathode morphology and CN- surface concentration.