Interaction of O2 with Pd single crystals in the range 1–150 Torr: Surface morphology transformations

The interaction of O2 with Pd single crystals including Pd(1 1 1), Pd(1 1 0) and Pd(1 0 0) in the pressure range 1–150 Torr was studied using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). The Pd single crystal surface morphologies were determined by the oxidation conditions: O2 pressure, exposure time and treatment temperature. Oxygen dissolution into Pd metal followed by the formation of bulk oxide was observed. The dissolution of oxygen resulted in the increase of the inter-planar spacing between the first two layers, 9–14% increase after an exposure of Pd(1 1 1) to 10–25 Torr O2 at 600 K for 10 min, and 10–20% increase after exposing Pd(1 1 0) and Pd(1 0 0) to 1 Torr O2 at 600 K for 10 min. Elongated or semi-spherical oxide agglomerates along the steps nucleated and grew on both Pd(1 1 0) and Pd(1 0 0) surfaces after oxidation in 5–25 Torr O2 at 600 K. When bulk PdO was formed, the single crystal surface was covered with semi-spherical agglomerates 2–4 nm in size, which tended to aggregate to form a “cauliflower-like” structure. The single crystal surface area also increased during oxidation.