The surface structure of RuO2: A leed, auger and XPS study of the (110) and (100) faces

Abstract

The (110) and the (100) surfaces of RuO2 show well defined LEED patterns. The surface lattice dimensions agree within 5% with the values predicted from X-ray diffraction. Both surfaces undergo a series of reversible surface reconstructions which result in well defined LEED patterns. These states come about from the loss of surface oxygen and each oxygen and each state is characterized by a well defined O Ru ratio. The final state is an overlayer of Ru metal. Furthermore, nearly equal concentrations of RuO3 are observed on all of the surfaces regardless of the structure which is present. This suggests that RuO3 plays a significant role in the stability of RuO2 surfaces.