Underpotential deposition: From planar surfaces to nanoparticles

An overview is given of selected theoretical, experimental and computer simulation research on thermodynamic modeling applied to the metal underpotential deposition. Focus is made mainly on the last 20years. The upd-theory on planar surfaces is revisited and the thermodynamic framework is extended to consider underpotential deposition on nanoparticles and to include anion coadsorption, solvation and double layer charging. Results from molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo simulations are shown for systems of experimental interest. At the end some perspectives for further advanced modeling of the present problem are given. •Advances in the theory of metal upd over the past 20 years are discussed.•The application of upd methods at the nanoscale is illustrated.•The theoretical foundations for the latter item are given.•A general thermodynamic model for describing upd is established.