Water structures at metal electrodes studied by ab initio molecular dynamics simulations

The structure of water on metal electrodes is addressed based on first-principles calculations. Special emphasis is placed on the competition between water-metal and water-water interaction as the structure determining factors. Thus the question will be discussed whether water at metal surfaces is ice- or rather liquid-like. The proper description of liquid phases requires to perform thermal averages. This has been done by combining first-principles electronic structure calculations with molecular dynamics simulations. After reviewing recent studies about water on flat, stepped and pre-covered metal electrodes, some new results will be presented.