Jahn-Teller stabilization of a \"Polar\" metal oxide surface: Fe3O4(001)

Pentcheva, Rossitza; Wendler, Frank; Meyerheim, Holger L.; Moritz, Wolfgang; Jedrecy, N. and Scheffler, Matthias (2005): Jahn-Teller stabilization of a \"Polar\" metal oxide surface: Fe3O4(001). In: Physical Review Letters, Vol. 94, No. 12

Abstract

Using ab initio thermodynamics we compile a phase diagram for the surface of Fe3O4(001) as a function of temperature and oxygen pressures. A hitherto ignored polar termination with octahedral iron and oxygen forming a wavelike structure along the direction is identified as the lowest energy configuration over a broad range of oxygen gas-phase conditions. This novel geometry is confirmed via x-ray diffraction analysis. The stabilization of the Fe3O4(001) surface goes together with dramatic changes in the electronic and magnetic properties, e.g., a half metal to metal transition.

• Item Type: Journal article
• Faculties: Geosciences > Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences > Crystallography and Materials Science
• Subjects: 500 Science > 530 Physics; 500 Science > 540 Chemistry; 500 Science > 550 Earth sciences and geology
• Language: English