Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
We have used a recently developed self-consistent Green's-function technique based on tight-binding linear-muffin-tin-orbital theory to calculate the work function for the close-packed surfaces of 37 elemental metals. The results agree with the limited experimental data obtained from single crystals to within 15%, and they explain the smooth behavior of the polycrystalline data as a function of atomic number.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Skriver et al. (1992) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 10 related papers. Consider them for comparative context: