Oxidation of Au on vicinal W(110): Role of step edges and facets

A. Varykhalov, O. Rader, V. K. Adamchuk, W. Gudat, B. E. Koel, A. M. Shikin

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Abstract

The electronic and chemical properties of Au on stepped surface oxides are of great fundamental and practical interest. Vicinal W(110) substrates have been used as templates for deposition and oxidation of submonolayer amounts of Au. Crystal surfaces of flat W(110), W(145) with the densest step edges, and W(331) and W(551) with open step edges were employed as model systems. By photoemission from the 4f core levels of Au and W, the most dramatic changes to the ionic state of the Au, resulting in complete oxidation, were observed on preoxidized W(331) and W(551) after annealing at 900 K. By scanning tunneling microscopy, it was found that chemisorption of oxygen causes nanofaceting of the vicinal W(110) surfaces. The impact of the facets on the surface chemistry revealed by the experiment is discussed. The dimensions and periodicity of the facets were found to be a principal factor in Au oxidation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number205417
JournalPhysical Review B - Condensed Matter and Materials Physics
Volume75
Issue number20
DOIs
StatePublished - May 11 2007
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics

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