Crystal structure oxide film

The crystal structures observed during the oxidation of molybdenum consist of stable molybdenum dioxide in contact with the metal throughout the range 300-700°C. As the film thickens in the low-temperature range, the trioxide predominates on the surface. At 400°C, molybdenum trioxide is no longer observed and molybdenum dioxide is the only oxide observed. 

Figure 24. Schematic illustrations of the conditions of surface lattice structure (a) amorphous-like surface with no identity of orientation, (b) surface with kinks, steps and terraces characteristic of certain crystalline orientation and (c) surface with no identity of the lattice structure of the crystal due to the coverage of an amorphous oxide film. 

In comparison to most other methods in surface science, STM offers two important advantages (1) it provides local information on the atomic scale and (2) it does so in situ [50]. As STM operates best on flat surfaces, applications of the technique in catalysis relate to models for catalysts, with the emphasis on metal single crystals. Several reviews have provided excellent overviews of the possibilities [51-54], and many studies of particles on model supports have been reported, such as graphite-supported Pt [55] and Pd [56] model catalysts. In the latter case, Humbert et al. [56] were able to recognize surface facets with (111) structure on palladium particles of 1.5 nm diameter, on an STM image taken in air. The use of ultra-thin oxide films, such as AI2O3 on a NiAl alloy, has enabled STM studies of oxide-supported metal particles to be performed, as reviewed by Freund [57]. 

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