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Title: A density functional theory study of atomic steps on stoichiometric rutile TiO{sub 2}(110)

Journal Article · · Journal of Chemical Physics
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4840515· OSTI ID:22253720
; ; ;  [1]
  1. Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO) and Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University, DK-8000 Aarhus C (Denmark)

We present a detailed theoretical study of the energetics of stoichiometric steps on the (110) surface of rutile TiO{sub 2}. Step structures running along the 〈001〉, 〈11{sup ¯}1〉, and 〈11{sup ¯}0〉 directions including bulk-terminations and possible reconstructions have been considered. A robust method for extracting surface and step energies of vicinal surfaces, where the surface energies converge slowly with respect to slab thickness, is outlined and used. Based on the calculated step energies a 2D Wulff-construction is presented from which it can be concluded that in equilibrium only oxygen terminated steps running along the 〈001〉 directions and reconstructed steps along the 〈11{sup ¯}1〉 directions should be present. Finally it is found that under conditions of stoichiometry the reconstructed 〈11{sup ¯}1〉 steps should be more than twice as abundant as oxygen terminated 〈001〉 steps.

OSTI ID:
22253720
Journal Information:
Journal of Chemical Physics, Vol. 139, Issue 23; Other Information: (c) 2013 AIP Publishing LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0021-9606
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English