title: Tracking thermally-activated transformations in a nanostructured metal/oxide/metal system.
abstract: We present experimental and theoretical evidence of sequential redox processes and structural transformations occurring by increasing temperature in a metal/oxide/metal system obtained via deposition of Fe atoms onto a z'-TiO(1.25)/Pt(111) ultrathin film in UHV. The initial reduction of the z'-TiO(x) phase by Fe at room temperature is followed by Fe diffusion and partial penetration into the substrate at intermediate temperatures. This triggers the formation of a bi-component material in which mixed FeO/TiO(2) nanoislands coexist on a h-TiO(1.14) ultrathin film, notably restructured (from rectangular to hexagonal) and reduced (from Ti : O = 1 : 1.25 to 1 : 1.14) with respect to the original TiO(1.25) phase. Further heating recovers the pristine z'-TiO(x) phase while Fe completely dissolves into the substrate.
authors: Dipartimento di Matematica e Fisica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Brescia, Italy.
authors: Emanuele
authors: E
authors: Cavaliere
authors: Luca
authors: L
authors: Artiglia
authors: Giovanni
authors: G
authors: Barcaro
authors: Gian Andrea
authors: GA
authors: Rizzi
authors: Federica
authors: F
authors: Bondino
authors: Alessandro
authors: A
authors: Fortunelli
authors: Luca
authors: L
authors: Gavioli
authors: Gaetano
authors: G
authors: Granozzi