Effect of ferroelectric polarization on the adsorption and reaction of ethanol on BaTiO3

The effect of ferroelectric polarization on the adsorption and reaction of ethanol on BaTiO3 was studied using temperature-programmed desorption (TPD). Consistent with previous studies for methanol, the reactive sticking coefficient for ethanol on the surfaces of the ferroelectric, tetragonal phase of BaTiO3 was found to be dependent on the orientation of the ferroelectric domains with a higher sticking coefficient on the c+ surface relative to the c− surface. TPD peak shapes and the relative product yields were also found to be polarization dependent suggesting that ferroelectric polarization may affect the intrinsic reactivity of the surface.