A STUDY OF OXYGEN CHEMISORPTION ON TITANIUM BY AUGER ANALYSIS AND MIRROR ELECTRON MICROSCOPY

This study aims to investigate the reactivity of titanium with oxygen at low pressures, specifically between 10^-8 and 10^-7 Torr, through Auger analysis and Mirror Electron Microscopy (M.E.M.). Despite previous literature addressing titanium's oxygen adsorption under varying conditions, the initial stages of the reaction remain under-explored. Employing a combined approach of Auger analysis and continuous monitoring of surface potential variations, we aimed to unravel the complexities of the chemisorption process. Our experimental materials consisted of large-grained polycrystalline titanium samples, which were subjected to detailed analysis to detect surface states and adsorption characteristics. The results indicate that the initial oxidation process occurs rapidly, leading to observable changes in both surface composition and electric potential, which are critical for understanding titanium's chemical behavior in reactive environments. This work not only contributes to the existing knowledge of titanium oxidation mechanisms but also highlights the effectiveness of using advanced techniques such as Auger analysis and M.E.M. for studying surface phenomena. These findings have implications for various applications in materials science and surface engineering.