Electrodeposition of a Pt monolayer film: using kinetic limitations for atomic layer epitaxy.

A new and facile one-step method to prepare a smooth Pt monolayer film on a metallic substrate in the absence of underpotential deposition-type stabilizations is presented as a general approach and applied to the growth of Pt monolayer films on Au. The strongly modified electronic properties of these films were demonstrated by in situ IR spectroscopy at the electrified solid-liquid interface with adsorbed carbon monoxide serving as a probe molecule. The Pt monolayer on Au is kinetically stabilized by adsorbed CO, inhibiting further Pt deposition in higher layers.