Stabilization of polar solid oxide surfaces: competition between adsorption and reconstruction

Multi-cationic spinel compounds are solids that exhibit polar faces. X-ray Photoelectron spectroscopy revealed the main phenomena allowing the stabilization of these faces, carried out as a function of the material treatment, particularly the cooling rate after thermal treatment at a high temperature (1200°C). This study showed that, whatever the cooling rate, each sample is subject to a significant hydroxylation that reduces the polarity. Nevertheless, it appears that the hydroxyl group content at the surface is a strong function of the cooling rate. Indeed, whereas quenched materials are subject to high levels of hydroxylation, slowly cooled samples are sparingly hydroxylated. This phenom…