Observation of H-Bond Dynamics on a Metal Surface

Abstract

Using a scanning tunneling microscope (STM), the concerted dynamics of H-bonds is visualized in real space. The STM manipulation of individual water molecules enables engineering of individual H-bonds, providing model systems to explore the H-atom transfer reaction on a metal surface. The relay reaction, which is the key mechanism in proton transfer in diverse systems, was directly observed for H₂O-(OH)_n(n = 2-4) complexes on Cu(110). The reaction was investigated as a function of transfer distance and bias voltage, and the mechanism of the electron-induced relay reaction was discussed.