Atomic structure of the polar NiO(111)-p(2 x 2) surface

Using grazing-incidence x-ray diffraction, the p(2 x 2) surface structures of the single crystal NiO(111) and a 5 monolayer thick NiO(111) film on Au(111) were both shown to exhibit locally the theoretically predicted octopolar reconstruction, with some important differences. The single crystal exhibits a single Ni termination with double steps. The thin film exhibits both possible terminations (O and Ni) and single steps. These surfaces were found to be nonreactive with respect to hydroxylation.