The open trough-and-row Mo(112) surface serves as substrate for the epitaxial growth of ${\mathrm{MoO}}_2.$ In the early stage of oxygen exposure, oxygen chemisorption induces a $p(2\mathrm{}\times 3)$ surface reconstruction of the missing row type on Mo(112). The surface structure of this reconstructed surface has been studied in detail by low-energy electron diffraction and scanning tunneling microscope. The experimental findings can be explained based on the effective medium theory for oxygen adsorption on transition-metal surfaces, providing a structure model for the oxygen-modified Mo(112) surface. The structure model allows the discussion of the oxygen-chemisorbed surface phase as a possible precursor state for the epitaxial ${\mathrm{MoO}}_2$ growth on Mo(112).

• Received 12 July 2001

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.65.115411