Dynamic aspects and associated structures of TiO2(110) and CeO2(111) surfaces relevant to oxide catalyses

Abstract

This article gives a topical review of the dynamic behavior of surface species on two representative metal oxide surfaces of TiO₂ (110) and CeO₂(111) investigated by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and noncontact atomic force microscopy (NC-AFM). In addition, two new aspects, the self-limiting growth of Pt nanoparticles from MeCpPtMe₃ on TiO₂(110) regulated by a competitive reaction with TiO_x suboxides and the inhomogeneous reactivity of surface oxygen atoms on CeO₂(111) against methanol, are also imaged by STM and NC-AFM, which are relevant to key issues to understand the surface chemical reactivity and catalysis.