In situ UHV-TEM investigation of the kinetics of initial stages of oxidation on the roughened Cu(1 1 0) surface

The initial stages of oxidation on roughened Cu(1 1 0) surface were explored by an in situ ultra-high vacuum transmission electron microscope (UHV-TEM). The dynamic observation of the nucleation and growth of Cu oxide islands shows a highly enhanced nucleation rate on the roughened Cu(1 1 0) surface. The kinetic data obtained from the initial stages of the oxidation indicate that oxygen surface diffusion plays a dominant role in the nucleation of the oxide islands; however, the growth of the three-dimensional oxide islands is caused by both oxygen surface diffusion and direct impingement.