| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/R40067/01 |
| Title: |
The growth and structure of metal oxide thin films for quantitative studies in non-stoichiometry |
| Principal Investigator: |
Bennett, Dr R |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Physics |
| Organisation: |
University of Reading |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
01 June 2001 |
Ends: |
30 November 2003 |
Value (£): |
60,196
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Materials Characterisation |
Materials Synthesis & Growth |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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The surface science of transition metal oxides is a rapidly expanding field and yet for the whole class of redicible oxide surfaces there is no method to prepare the surface of a crystal with a known bulk departure from stoichiometry. Changes in bulk stoichiometry of Ti02 as low as 3% (Ti32063) lead to the formation of bulk planar defect structures of the homologous series Tin02n-1, surface structure appears to be even more sensitive. This proposal intends to address this problem by employing recent results (the observation of Ti interstitials as a major defect in substoichiometric Ti02) in a novel manner. Thin films of stoichiometric Ti02, that behave as a single crystal, will be grown of known thickness. These will be doped by dissolution of Ti metal, deposited on the surface, into the bulk crystal structure to induce formation of a non-stoichiometric film of the desired composition and thickness. Electron spectroscopic and diffraction measurements will then be made for the first time on the surface of an oxide with quantified departure from stoichiometry to evaluate the interaction of defects, charge sharing between the ions and the formation of surface and bulk structures. Subsequent measurements on the well characterised non-stoichiometric films will investigate the role of non-stoichiometry in the wetting of supported metal films, the growth of oxide polymorphs and the interaction with substitutional dopants such as Cr.
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Key Findings |
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.rdg.ac.uk |