Charge State and Charge Manipulation of Oxygen Molecules Adsorbed on Rutile TiO₂(110) Surface by Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy

Abstract

The catalytic mechanism of TiO₂ surface fascinated us for long time because of the unrevealing reaction mechanism in ambient condition. A key challenge is to reveal these mechanisms at atomic scale under specific gas phase. However, direct experimental insights into this mechanism have not been investigated yet. Here, we investigate the charge state of oxygen atoms on rutile TiO₂ (110) surface using Kelvin probe force microscopy and spectroscopy. We successfully manipulate the charge state of oxygen atoms. This work provides a novel route for the investigation of the charge state of the adsorbates and opens up a prospect for the studies of transition metal oxide based catalytic reactions.