Cu dimer formation mechanism on the ZnO(101¯0) surface

Abstract

The formation of Cu dimers on the ZnO(10$\overline{1}$0) surface has been studied using hybrid density functional theory. Depending on the adsorption site, Cu atoms are found to adsorb with either oxidation state 0 or $+$1. In the latter case, the Cu atom has donated an electron to the ZnO conduction band. The two modes of adsorption display similar stability at low coverages, while at higher coverages the neutral species is more stable. Single Cu atoms diffuse across the ZnO(10$\overline{1}$0) surface with small barriers of migration (0.3--0.4 eV) along ZnO[1$\overline{2}$10], repeatedly switching their oxidation states, while the barrier along ZnO[0001] is significantly higher ($>$1.5 eV). The formation of a Cu dimer from two adsorbed Cu atoms is energetically favorable with two competing structures of similar stability, both being charge neutral. The minimum energy paths for Cu atom diffusion and dimer formation are characterized by at least one of the two Cu atoms being in oxidation state 0.