ZnO(101¯0) is unstable in moderate pressures of water

Wenzel, S.; Groot, I.M.N. (2022)

Article / Letter to editor

A ZnO(10 (1) over bar0) single crystal was investigated using in situ scanning tunneling microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. In roughly 1 mbar water the surface roughens within minutes. Hereby, the formation of (0001)- or (000 (1) over bar)-type steps is favored over the formation of (1 (2) over bar 10)-type steps. The roughened surface is stable in ultra-high vacuum and does not exhibit a different amount of hydroxylation or adsorbed water compared to the as-prepared surface. The speed of the roughening is related to the total volume of water supplied to the surface rather than the water pressure.

• All authors: Wenzel, S.; Groot, I.M.N.
• Date: 2022-01-01
• Journal: SURF SCI
• Volume: 715
• DOI: doi:10.1016/j.susc.2021.121940