Surface evolution of rutile TiO2 (100) in an oxidizing environment

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) has been used to study the rutile TiO2 (100) surface in an oxidizing environment. By changing annealing conditions, TiO2 surfaces with different morphologies are obtained. We report a new centered (2 x 2) surface reconstruction on this surface. Our experimental data indicates that this is a meta-stable, oxygen deficient structure formed as the disordered surface regains its stoichiometry in an oxidizing annealing environment. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.