Study of the interactions between overlayer and substrate in the early stages of Palladium growth on TiO2(110)

The interaction between palladium and the (1 1 0) surface of a TiO2 single crystal and the electronic properties of the system were studied by means of photoelectron spectroscopy (core levels and valence band) and resonant photoemission for Pd coverage in the sub- and monolayer range. We performed the metal depositions at room temperature. Similarly to copper, platinum and rhodium, palladium does not reduce titanium, has metallic character already from a quite early deposition, grows with a 3D-island mode and the interactions between palladium and TiO2 are very weak. Annealing treatments at 400 C provoke a change in the morphology of the palladium clusters and the formation of islands characterized by a higher ratio between volume and area in contact with the substrate. copyright 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Keyword: Titanium oxide,Growth,Synchrotron radiation photoelectron spectroscopy,Work function measurements,Low index single crystal surfaces,Surface electronic phenomena,Palladium