Chemical Identification at the Solid–Liquid Interface
Solid-liquid interfaces are decisive for a wide range of natural and technological processes, including fields as diverse as geochemistry and environmental science as well as catalysis and corrosion protection. Dynamic atomic force microscopy nowadays provides unparalleled structural insights into solid-liquid interfaces, including the solvation structure above the surface. In contrast, chemical identification of individual interfacial atoms still remains a considerable challenge. So far, an identification of chemically alike atoms in a surface alloy has only been demonstrated under well-controlled ultrahigh vacuum conditions. In liquids, the recent advent of three-dimensional force mapping…
Charge compensation by long-period reconstruction in strongly polar lithium niobate surfaces
The microscopic structure of the polar (000$\overline{1}$) and (0001) surfaces of lithium niobate is investigated by atomic-resolution frequency modulation atomic force microscopy and first-principles calculations. It is found that the surface reconstructs at annealing temperatures sufficiently high to drive off external adsorbates. In particular a ($\sqrt{7}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}\sqrt{7}$)$R$19.1${}^{\ensuremath{\circ}}$ reconstruction is found for the (000$\overline{1}$) surface. Density-functional theory calculations show that---apart from the $(\sqrt{7}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}\sqrt{7})$---a series of adatom-induced surface reconstructions exist that lower the surfa…
Three-dimensional solvation structure of ethanol on carbonate minerals
Calcite and magnesite are important mineral constituents of the earth’s crust. In aqueous environments, these carbonates typically expose their most stable cleavage plane, the (10.4) surface. It is known that these surfaces interact with a large variety of organic molecules, which can result in surface restructuring. This process is decisive for the formation of biominerals. With the development of 3D atomic force microscopy (AFM) it is now possible to image solid–liquid interfaces with unprecedented molecular resolution. However, the majority of 3D AFM studies have been focused on the arrangement of water at carbonate surfaces. Here, we present an analysis of the assembly of ethanol – an o…
Three-dimensional hydration layer mapping on the (10.4) surface of calcite using amplitude modulation atomic force microscopy
Calcite, the most stable modification of calcium carbonate, is a major mineral in nature. It is, therefore, highly relevant in a broad range of fields such as biomineralization, sea water desalination and oil production. Knowledge of the surface structure and reactivity of the most stable cleavage plane, calcite (10.4), is pivotal for understanding the role of calcite in these diverse areas. Given the fact that most biological processes and technical applications take place in an aqueous environment, perhaps the most basic - yet decisive - question addresses the interaction of water molecules with the calcite (10.4) surface. In this work, amplitude modulation atomic force microscopy is used…