Mechanisms, kinetics, and dynamics of oxidation and reactions on oxide surfaces investigated by scanning probe microscopy.
Advances in scanning probe microscopies (SPM) have allowed the mechanisms and rates of adsorption, diffusion and reactions on surfaces to be characterized by directly observing the motions of the individual atoms and molecules involved. The importance of oxides as thermal and photocatalysts, chemical sensors, and substrates for epitaxial growth has motivated dynamical SPM studies of oxide surfaces and their formation. Work on the TiO(2) (110) surface is reviewed as an example of how dynamic SPM studies have revealed unexpected interactions between adsorbates and defects that influence macroscopic reaction rates. Studies following diffusion, adsorption and phase transitions on bulk and surface oxides are also discussed. A perspective is provided on advanced SPM techniques that hold great promise for yielding new insights into the mechanisms and rates of elemental processes that take place either during oxidation or on oxide surfaces, with particular emphasis on methods that extend the time and chemical resolution of dynamical SPM measurements.
Altman
Eric I
EI
Center for Research on Interface Structure and Phenomena, Department of Chemical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8286, USA. eric.altman@yale.edu
Schwarz
Udo D
UD
D002563:Cerium / Q000737:chemistry; D007700:Kinetics; D020527:Microscopy, Scanning Probe; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010087:Oxides / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry; D014414:Tungsten / Q000737:chemistry
D010087:Oxides; C009495:titanium dioxide; D002563:Cerium; C030583:ceric oxide; C511604:tungsten oxide; D014025:Titanium; D014414:Tungsten