Bi-Arrhenius Diffusion and Surface Trapping of ^{8}Li^{+} in Rutile TiO_{2}.

Abstract

We report measurements of the diffusion rate of isolated ion-implanted ^{8}Li^{+} within ∼120 nm of the surface of oriented single-crystal rutile TiO_{2} using a radiotracer technique. The α particles from the ^{8}Li decay provide a sensitive monitor of the distance from the surface and how the depth profile of ^{8}Li evolves with time. The main findings are that the implanted Li^{+} diffuses and traps at the (001) surface. The T dependence of the diffusivity is described by a bi-Arrhenius expression with activation energies of 0.3341(21)eV above 200K, whereas at lower temperatures it has a much smaller barrier of 0.0313(15)eV. We consider possible origins for the surface trapping, as well the nature of the low-T barrier.