Work

ZnO Thin Film Structure Driven by Metal Surface Symmetry and Lattice Mismatch

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide In this work, we addressed the crystallographic structure of ultrathin zinc oxide films on metal single-crystal supports, namely, Pt(001) and Ag(111). The in-plane atomic arrangement gives rise to a low-energy electron diffraction pattern with 6 spots in hexagonal symmetry for the ZnO thin film on Ag(111) and 12 dots on a circle for the film on Pt(001) with surface lattice parameters of 0.34 and 0.33 nm, respectively. We observed that the ZnO film orientation and structure are driven by the underlying surface symmetry: wurtzite on Ag(111) and zinc-blende on Pt(001), as disclosed by high-resolution electron transmission microscopy. DFT calculations were used to predict the formation energy of ZnO thin films and their crystallographic structure stability. The results are promising for the engineering of ZnO thin films for different applications.

Source: The Journal of Physical Chemistry C

DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcc.4c04775

Authors: Emilia Annese, Eduardo Cisternas, Bráulio S. Archanjo, Fernando Stavale

Institutions: Centro Brasileiro de Pesquisas Físicas, Universidad de La Frontera, Instituto Nacional de Metrologia, Qualidade e Tecnologia

Language: English

Topic: ZnO doping and properties

Subfield: Materials Chemistry

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,500

Funders: Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung, Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, Fundação Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro