Structural and compositional characterization of ultrathin titanium oxide films grown on Pt3Ti(111).

We have investigated the growth of ultrathin titanium oxide (TiO(x)) films on a Pt(3)Ti(111) single crystal surface as a function of oxidation temperature (300-1000 K) and oxygen exposure (up to 4500 l) by means of Auger electron spectroscopy, low-energy electron diffraction, ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy and high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS). Both the surface composition and the surface structure of the resulting TiO(x) films exhibit a strong dependence on the preparation conditions. Loss of the chemical order and Ti segregation are observed at the Pt(3)Ti(111) surface upon oxygen exposures of more than 135 l at 1000 K.