Interfaces between hexagonal and cubic oxides and their structure alternatives

Hua Zhou, Lijun Wu, Hui-Qiong Wang (), Jin-Cheng Zheng (), Lihua Zhang, Kim Kisslinger, Yaping Li, Zhiqiang Wang, Hao Cheng, Shanming Ke, Yu Li, Junyong Kang and Yimei Zhu ()
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Hua Zhou: Xiamen University
Lijun Wu: Brookhaven National Laboratory
Hui-Qiong Wang: Xiamen University
Jin-Cheng Zheng: Xiamen University
Lihua Zhang: Center for Functional Nanomaterials, Brookhaven National Laboratory
Kim Kisslinger: Center for Functional Nanomaterials, Brookhaven National Laboratory
Yaping Li: Xiamen University
Zhiqiang Wang: Xiamen University
Hao Cheng: Xiamen University
Shanming Ke: Shenzhen University
Yu Li: Shenzhen University
Junyong Kang: Xiamen University
Yimei Zhu: Brookhaven National Laboratory

Nature Communications, 2017, vol. 8, issue 1, 1-8

Abstract: Abstract Multi-layer structure of functional materials often involves the integration of different crystalline phases. The film growth orientation thus frequently exhibits a transformation, owing to multiple possibilities caused by incompatible in-plane structural symmetry. Nevertheless, the detailed mechanism of the transformation has not yet been fully explored. Here we thoroughly probe the heteroepitaxially grown hexagonal zinc oxide (ZnO) films on cubic (001)-magnesium oxide (MgO) substrates using advanced scanning transition electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and first principles calculations, revealing two distinct interface models of (001) ZnO/(001) MgO and (100) ZnO/(001) MgO. We have found that the structure alternatives are controlled thermodynamically by the nucleation, while kinetically by the enhanced Zn adsorption and O diffusion upon the phase transformation. This work not only provides a guideline for the interface fabrication with distinct crystalline phases but also shows how polar and non-polar hexagonal ZnO films might be manipulated on the same cubic substrate.

Date: 2017
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-01655-5

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