We have measured the adsorption isotherms of water on a single surface of freshly cleaved mica with K+ on the surface, and on mica where the K+ has been exchanged for H+. Using a very sensitive interferometric technique, we have found a significant difference between the two isotherms at submonolayer coverage, for relative vapor pressures p/p0 < 0.5. The K+-mica isotherm shows a pronounced convexity, suggesting distinct adsorption sites, whereas the H+-mica isotherm is flatter. The two isotherms converge above monolayer coverage. The results give a graphic demonstration of the importance of nanoscale surface heterogeneities for vapor adsorption at submonolayer coverage.
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