Ferroelectric polarization dependent interactions at Pd – Li Nb O 3 ( 0001 ) interfaces

A combination of Auger electron spectroscopy and temperature-programed desorption was used to characterize the growth and interaction of Pd films with positively and negatively terminated ferroelectric Li Nb O 3 ( 0001 ) surfaces. The growth mode of vapor-deposited Pd layers at 300 K was found to be dependent on the direction of the ferroelectric polarization with layer-by-layer growth occurring on the negative ( c − ) surface and particle formation occurring on the positive ( c + ) surface. The Pd metal layers were also found to be more thermally stable on the c − surface relative to the c + surface. These results provide another example of how the polarization orientation in ferroelectric materials affects adsorption and reaction on their exposed surfaces.