For short electrolysis times (in the range of milliseconds), the optical microscope and the SEM images of the entire POSC do not show macroscopic exfoliation of the NPG film (Figs. and and Fig. ). Small changes are, however, observed after different electrolysis times and in different regions of the Au POSC.This is illustrated with SEM images of the NPG films formed on the Au(111*) and the Au(100*) facets after 100 ms and 250 ms in Fig. . After 100ms, the NPG film is rather homogeneous on all facets, as the Au oxide film formed after 100 ms on the POSC (see Figs. ). After 250 ms small ripples were observed in the Au oxide film grown on the Au(111*) facet in Fig. , which are also observed in the NPG film after electrochemical reduction in Fig. . Thus, in the regions where a homogeneous Au oxide film was observed, also a homogeneous NPG film was formed (at least for short electrolysis times up to 250 ms).