Subsurface Oxygen Vacancy Mediated Surface Reconstruction and Depolarization of Ferroelectric BaTiO₃ (001) Surface.

ABSTRACT: The interplay between surface reconstruction and depolarization of ferroelectric oxide surfaces is strongly influenced by oxygen vacancies (V_O). Using in-situ atomic-resolution electron microscopy imaging and spectroscopy techniques, it is directly observed that a clean BaTiO₃ (001) surface stabilizes into (2 × 1) BaO-terminated reconstruction during vacuum annealing. This surface reconstruction is achieved with accommodating BaO deficiency and incorporates TiO_x adunits. The cooperative atomic rumpling in both the surface and subsurface layers, arranged in a tail-to-tail configuration, is stabilized by planar accumulation of V_O in the subsurface TiO₂ layer. This reduces the net polarization of surface unit cells, contributing to overal

SUBMITTER: Jeong J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12021061 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature