Oxide nanostructures on a Nb surface and related systems: experiments and <i>ab initio</i> calculations

Abstract

This review discusses the state of the art in two related research areas: the surfaces of niobium and of its related group IV?VI transition metals, and surface (primarily oxide) nanostructures that form on niobium (and group IV?VI d-metals) due to gas adsorption or impurity diffusion from the bulk. Experimental (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, photoelectron diffraction, scanning tunneling microscopy) and theoretical (ab initio simulation) results on d-metal surfaces are summarized and reviewed.