Resolving the intrinsic short-range ordering of K+ ions on cleaved muscovite mica

Giada Franceschi (), Pavel Kocán, Andrea Conti, Sebastian Brandstetter, Jan Balajka, Igor Sokolović, Markus Valtiner, Florian Mittendorfer, Michael Schmid, Martin Setvín and Ulrike Diebold
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Giada Franceschi: Institute of Applied Physics, TU Wien
Pavel Kocán: Charles University
Andrea Conti: Institute of Applied Physics, TU Wien
Sebastian Brandstetter: Institute of Applied Physics, TU Wien
Jan Balajka: Institute of Applied Physics, TU Wien
Igor Sokolović: Institute of Applied Physics, TU Wien
Markus Valtiner: Institute of Applied Physics, TU Wien
Florian Mittendorfer: Institute of Applied Physics, TU Wien
Michael Schmid: Institute of Applied Physics, TU Wien
Martin Setvín: Institute of Applied Physics, TU Wien
Ulrike Diebold: Institute of Applied Physics, TU Wien

Nature Communications, 2023, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-8

Abstract: Abstract Muscovite mica, KAl2(Si3Al)O10(OH)2, is a common layered phyllosilicate with perfect cleavage planes. The atomically flat surfaces obtained through cleaving lend themselves to scanning probe techniques with atomic resolution and are ideal to model minerals and clays. Despite the importance of the cleaved mica surfaces, several questions remain unresolved. It is established that K+ ions decorate the cleaved surface, but their intrinsic ordering – unaffected by the interaction with the environment – is not known. This work presents clear images of the K+ distribution of cleaved mica obtained with low-temperature non-contact atomic force microscopy (AFM) under ultra-high vacuum (UHV) conditions. The data unveil the presence of short-range ordering, contrasting previous assumptions of random or fully ordered distributions. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations and Monte Carlo simulations show that the substitutional subsurface Al3+ ions have an important role for the surface K+ ion arrangement.

Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-35872-y

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