Role of Surface Structural Defects in the Oxidation of Al(111) Surfaces

摘要

The purpose of this research has been to identify atomic scale structural defects in metal single crystal surfaces and to determine the influence of these defects on surface oxidation. We have determined that atomic-height steps are the location for the nucleation of oxide on Al(111) surfaces and that surface diffusion to the steps is a critical step in the oxidation mechanism. Keywords: Surface defects, Surface chemistry, Crystallography. (JES)