Imaging The Atomic-Scale Structure Of Vanadia Powder Surface Using Ambient Atomic Force Microscopy

Constant force images of vanadia powder were recorded in ambient conditions with atomic force microscopy. Atomic-scale observations of the (001) surface powder were obtained. The images reveal differences from the ideal structure which are attributed to the presence of adsorbed molecular water. A diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy study confirms this hypothesis and an adsorption model is proposed. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.