The electron-beam-induced reduction of transition metal oxide surfaces to metallic lower oxides

The clean surfaces of several maximally valent transition metal oxides, namely TiO 2, Nb 2O 5, V 2O 5 and WO 3, have been reduced to the corresponding binary oxide during extended observation inside a 400 keV high-resolution electron microscope. Selected-area electron diffraction patterns and optica...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Ultramicroscopy 1987, Vol.23 (3), p.299-303
Main Authors: Smith, David J., McCartney, M.R., Bursill, L.A.
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:The clean surfaces of several maximally valent transition metal oxides, namely TiO 2, Nb 2O 5, V 2O 5 and WO 3, have been reduced to the corresponding binary oxide during extended observation inside a 400 keV high-resolution electron microscope. Selected-area electron diffraction patterns and optical transforms direct from the high-resolution lattice images were used to identify the oxide, while electron energy loss spectra from a sample of V 2O 5 eliminated the possibility that the isostructural carbide had been formed. These reduced binary oxides have a defective rocksalt structure, and they are metallic in nature, which may thereby stifle further electron-stimulated desorption of oxygen.
ISSN:0304-3991
1879-2723
DOI:10.1016/0304-3991(87)90239-7