Humphrey, David S, Pang, Chi L, Chen, Qiao and Thornton, GEoff (2019) Electron induced nanoscale engineering of rutile TiO2 surfaces. Nanotechnology, 30 (2). 025303 1. ISSN 0957-4484
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Abstract
Electron stimulated modifications of the rutile TiO2(110) surface have been investigated using scanning tunnelling microscopy tip pulses and electron beam irradiation. Tip pulses on the 'as-prepared' surface induce local surface reconstruction and removal of surface hydroxyls in a region around the reconstruction. A defocused beam from an electron gun as well as tip pulses have been used to generate a number of oxygen deficient surfaces. All tip pulse features display an oval profile, which can be attributed to the anisotropic conductivity of the TiO2(110) surface. A novel oxygen deficient phase with well-ordered defective 'nano-cracks' has been identified, which can be produced by either electron beam irradiation or low flash anneal temperatures (~570 K). Annealing such surfaces to moderate temperatures (~850 K) leads to mixed 1 × 1 and 1 × 2 surfaces, until now only achievable by annealing in oxygen or ageing by repeated sputter/anneal cycles. Heating to normal preparation temperatures (1000 K) reforms the clean, well-ordered 1 × 1 surface termination. Our results demonstrate the potential of electron induced processes to modify the oxygen composition and structure of the TiO2(110) surface in a controllable and reversible way for selective surface patterning and surface reactivity modification.
Item Type: | Article |
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Schools and Departments: | School of Life Sciences > Chemistry |
Subjects: | Q Science > QD Chemistry |
Related URLs: | |
Depositing User: | Qiao Chen |
Date Deposited: | 12 Nov 2018 13:14 |
Last Modified: | 02 Jul 2019 14:00 |
URI: | http://sro.sussex.ac.uk/id/eprint/80139 |
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