Topological study of the multi-alkali photocathode destabilization due to molecular oxygen

• Published in: Applied surface science Vol. 37; no. 4; pp. 369 - 380
• Main Authors: PANCIR, J, HASLINGEROVA, I
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.08.1989; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Chemistry; Electrochemistry; Electrodeposition; Exact sciences and technology; General and physical chemistry; Study of interfaces; Electrodes; Oxygen; Adsorption energy; Adsorption; Molecular structure; Alkali metal Antimonides; Theoretical study; Experimental study; Electrochemical reaction
• ISSN: 0169-4332; 1873-5584
• DOI: 10.1016/0169-4332(89)90498-4

A multi-alkali antimonide destabilization brought about by an interaction with such a common agent as molecular oxygen is studied theoretically. Adsorption energies and molecular diagrams of all phases which can temporarily exist in the Sb(NaKCs) multi-alkali photocathode systems were studied by the recently developed quantum chemical topological method. Systems under study were modelled as semi-infinite ( SbXYZ) n crystals. X, Y, and Z being Na. K. or Cs. Calculations were performed with cubic and hexagonal crystal lattices. Molecular oxygen can substantially reduce the stability of photocathodes in which Sb and Cs atoms are present on their surface. The presence of even small amounts of oxygen in the surrounding medium should be avoided and/or surface Sb atoms should be adequately protected from the oxygen attack during the manufacturing of such photocathodes.