Atomic species identification at the (101) anatase surface by simultaneous scanning tunnelling and atomic force microscopy

<div> Anatase is a pivotal material in devices for energy-harvesting applications and catalysis.</div> <div> Methods for the accurate characterization of this reducible oxide at the atomic scale are</div> <div> critical in the exploration of outstanding properties for t...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Stetsovych, Oleksandr, Todorovic, Milica, Shimizu, Tomoko K., Moreno, Cesar, Ryan, James William, Perez Leon, Carmen, Sagisaka, Keisuke, Palomares, Emilio, Matolin, Vladimır, Fujita, Daisuke, Perez, Ruben, Custance, Oscar
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2015
País:España
Institución:Varias* (Consorci de Biblioteques Universitáries de Catalunya, Centre de Serveis Científics i Acadèmics de Catalunya)
Repositorio:Recercat. Dipósit de la Recerca de Catalunya
OAI Identifier:oai:recercat.cat:2072/305890
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/2072/305890
https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms8265
Access Level:acceso abierto
Descripción
Sumario:<div> Anatase is a pivotal material in devices for energy-harvesting applications and catalysis.</div> <div> Methods for the accurate characterization of this reducible oxide at the atomic scale are</div> <div> critical in the exploration of outstanding properties for technological developments. Here</div> <div> we combine atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM),</div> <div> supported by first-principles calculations, for the simultaneous imaging and unambiguous</div> <div> identification of atomic species at the (101) anatase surface. We demonstrate that dynamic</div> <div> AFM-STM operation allows atomic resolution imaging within the material&rsquo;s band gap. Based</div> <div> on key distinguishing features extracted from calculations and experiments, we identify</div> <div> candidates for the most common surface defects. Our results pave the way for the understanding</div> <div> of surface processes, like adsorption of metal dopants and photoactive molecules,</div> <div> that are fundamental for the catalytic and photovoltaic applications of anatase, and</div> <div> demonstrate the potential of dynamic AFM-STM for the characterization of wide band gap</div> <div> materials.</div>