Bi-Arrhenius diffusion and surface trapping of $^{8}$Li$^{+}$ in rutile TiO$_2$

TL;DR

This study investigates the diffusion behavior of $^{8}$Li$^{+}$ ions in rutile TiO$_2$, revealing a bi-Arrhenius temperature dependence and surface trapping phenomena using radiotracer techniques.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed measurement of $^{8}$Li$^{+}$ diffusion in rutile TiO$_2$ with a bi-Arrhenius model and insights into surface trapping mechanisms.

Findings

Diffusion of $^{8}$Li$^{+}$ is surface-trapped at the (001) surface.

Diffusivity follows a bi-Arrhenius temperature dependence.

Activation energies are 0.334 eV above 200 K and 0.031 eV below.

Abstract

We report measurements of the diffusion rate of isolated ion-implanted $^{8}$Li$^{+}$ within $\sim$120 nm of the surface of oriented single-crystal rutile TiO$_2$ using a radiotracer technique. The $\alpha$-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 200 K, 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.