Atomic species identification at the (101) anatase surface by simultaneous scanning tunnelling and atomic force microscopy
Status PubMed-not-MEDLINE Language English Country Great Britain, England Media electronic
Document type Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
PubMed
26118408
PubMed Central
PMC4491188
DOI
10.1038/ncomms8265
PII: ncomms8265
Knihovny.cz E-resources
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
Anatase is a pivotal material in devices for energy-harvesting applications and catalysis. Methods for the accurate characterization of this reducible oxide at the atomic scale are critical in the exploration of outstanding properties for technological developments. Here we combine atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM), supported by first-principles calculations, for the simultaneous imaging and unambiguous identification of atomic species at the (101) anatase surface. We demonstrate that dynamic AFM-STM operation allows atomic resolution imaging within the material's band gap. Based on key distinguishing features extracted from calculations and experiments, we identify candidates for the most common surface defects. Our results pave the way for the understanding of surface processes, like adsorption of metal dopants and photoactive molecules, that are fundamental for the catalytic and photovoltaic applications of anatase, and demonstrate the potential of dynamic AFM-STM for the characterization of wide band gap materials.
] National Institute for Materials Science Wolfgang Gaede Str 1 Karlsruhe 76131 Germany
Charles University Faculty of Mathematics and Physics 5 Holešovičkách 2 Praha 8 Czech Republic
International Center for Young Scientists NIMS 1 2 1 Sengen Tsukuba 305 0047 Japan
National Institute for Materials Science 1 2 1 Sengen Tsukuba 305 0047 Japan
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