Papers

Peer-reviewed
Jun, 2015

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

NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
  • Oleksandr Stetsovych
  • Milica Todorovic
  • Tomoko K. Shimizu
  • Cesar Moreno
  • James William Ryan
  • Carmen Perez Leon
  • Keisuke Sagisaka
  • Emilio Palomares
  • Vladimir Matolin
  • Daisuke Fujita
  • Ruben Perez
  • Oscar Custance
  • Display all

Volume
6
Number
First page
7265-1
Last page
7265-9
Language
English
Publishing type
Research paper (scientific journal)
DOI
10.1038/ncomms8265
Publisher
NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP

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.

Link information
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms8265
Web of Science
https://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcAuth=JSTA_CEL&SrcApp=J_Gate_JST&DestLinkType=FullRecord&KeyUT=WOS:000357170300002&DestApp=WOS_CPL
ID information
  • DOI : 10.1038/ncomms8265
  • ISSN : 2041-1723
  • Web of Science ID : WOS:000357170300002

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