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@ARTICLE{Wrana:864628,
author = {Wrana, Dominik and Cieślik, Karol and Belza, Wojciech and
Rodenbücher, Christian and Szot, Krzysztof and Krok,
Franciszek},
title = {{K}elvin probe force microscopy work function
characterization of transition metal oxide crystals under
ongoing reduction and oxidation},
journal = {Beilstein journal of nanotechnology},
volume = {10},
issn = {2190-4286},
address = {Frankfurt, M.},
publisher = {Beilstein-Institut zur Förderung der Chemischen
Wissenschaften},
reportid = {FZJ-2019-04333},
pages = {1596 - 1607},
year = {2019},
abstract = {Controlling the work function of transition metal oxides is
of key importance with regard to future energy production
and storage. As the majority of applications involve the use
of heterostructures, the most suitable characterization
technique is Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM), which
provides excellent energetic and lateral resolution. In this
paper, we demonstrate precise characterization of the work
function using the example of artificially formed
crystalline titanium monoxide (TiO) nanowires on strontium
titanate (SrTiO3) surfaces, providing a sharp atomic
interface. The measured value of 3.31(21) eV is the first
experimental work function evidence for a cubic TiO phase,
where significant variations among the different
crystallographic facets were also observed. Despite the
remarkable height of the TiO nanowires, KPFM was implemented
to achieve a high lateral resolution of 15 nm, which is
close to the topographical limit. In this study, we also
show the unique possibility of obtaining work function and
conductivity maps on the same area by combining noncontact
and contact modes of atomic force microscopy (AFM). As most
of the real applications require ambient operating
conditions, we have additionally checked the impact of air
venting on the work function of the TiO/SrTiO3(100)
heterostructure, proving that surface reoxidation occurs and
results in a work function increase of 0.9 eV and 0.6 eV for
SrTiO3 and TiO, respectively. Additionally, the influence of
adsorbed surface species was estimated to contribute 0.4 eV
and 0.2 eV to the work function of both structures. The
presented method employing KPFM and local conductivity AFM
for the characterization of the work function of transition
metal oxides may help in understanding the impact of
reduction and oxidation on electronic properties, which is
of high importance in the development of effective sensing
and catalytic devices.},
cin = {IEK-3},
ddc = {620},
cid = {I:(DE-Juel1)IEK-3-20101013},
pnm = {135 - Fuel Cells (POF3-135)},
pid = {G:(DE-HGF)POF3-135},
typ = {PUB:(DE-HGF)16},
pubmed = {pmid:31467822},
UT = {WOS:000479270500001},
doi = {10.3762/bjnano.10.155},
url = {https://juser.fz-juelich.de/record/864628},
}