Stoichiometry-structure correlation of epitaxial Ce _1-xPr _xO _2-δ (x=0-1) thin films on Si(111)

Epitaxial oxide thin film layers are of interest for model catalytic studies. We report the growth of Ce _1-xPr _xO _2-δ mixed oxide layers of different stoichiometries (x=0-1) and oxygen deficiency (δ>0) on Si(111) by co-evaporating molecular beam epitaxy. The main objective is to identify the crystal phases and to investigate the correlation between compositions and crystal structures. X-ray photoemission spectroscopy was performed to quantify the stoichiometries. An extensive laboratory and synchrotron based X-ray diffraction analysis was carried out to determine the vertical and lateral lattice orientations and the strain status of the layers. The study revealed that single crystalline Ce _1-xPr _xO _2-δ/Si(111) heterostructures can be epitaxially grown on Si(111) for model catalytic studies. In addition to the structure-stoichiometry relationship typical to mixed oxide bulk powders, we identified a hexagonal mixed Ce-Pr oxide thin film phase not yet reported in bulk studies.