Metals

Investigation of the initial stage of Cerium oxidation

O. G. Ashkhotov^a, I. B. Ashkhotova^a, T. T. Magkoev<sup>b

a</sup> Kabardino-Balkar State University, Nalchik, Russia
^b North Ossetian State University after Kosta Levanovich Khetagurov, Vladikavkaz, Russia

Abstract: The initial stages of oxidation of a massive Cerium sample at room temperature in an ultrahigh vacuum (oxygen partial pressure 10$^{-6}$ Pa) after obtaining an atomically pure surface by bombardment with Ar$^+$ ions were studied using electron Auger spectroscopy. It was found that chemisorption is observed initially when exposed to oxygen up to 5 L, from 5 to 14 L Ce$_2$O$_3$ nuclei are formed, followed by coalescence at exposures from 14 to 40 L. The process ends with the formation of a thick oxide film Ce$_2$O$_3$.

Keywords: oxide, vacuum, adsorption, chemisorption, exposure, coalescence.

Received: 29.03.2024
Revised: 10.04.2024
Accepted: 12.04.2024

DOI: 10.61011/FTT.2024.07.58384.72

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