Abstract
The oxidation of the Rh(111) surface at oxygen pressures from to 0.5 bar and temperatures between 300 and 900 K has been studied on the atomic scale using a multimethod approach of experimental and theoretical techniques. Oxidation starts at the steps, resulting in a trilayer O-Rh-O surface oxide which, although not thermodynamically stable, prevents further oxidation at intermediate pressures. A thick corundum like bulk oxide is formed only at significantly higher pressures and temperatures.
- Received 4 November 2003
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.92.126102
©2004 American Physical Society