Oxidation of Co(poly) and Co(1010) surfaces: Structure and temperature effects

The oxidation of Co(poly) and Co(10$\text{1}$0) surfaces has been investigated using AES within the temperature range 300–700 K. It is found that at both surfaces the initial step — dissociative adsorption of oxygen — exhibits identical kinetics, independent of temperature. Approaching the oxide layer formation regime, temperature and surface structure of the substrate as well determine the oxygen uptake. With the aid of sputter profiling through the oxidized surface layers it is seen that at both, single crystal and polycrystal, oxygen is present even far below the actual surface. The diffusion of oxygen into the bulk is found to be faster at the polycrystalline sample.