Strontium titanate surfaces

Strontium titanate (SrTiO3) is a perovskite material with a variety of useful yet complex surface structures. Recent studies of SrTiO3 have revealed how surface treatment can give rise to multi-functional surfaces, with attributes ranging from blue-light emission and high electrical conductivity to photocatalytic activity and nanostructure self-assembly. Research encompassing the surface science of strontium titanate is reviewed which includes studies that utilise scanning tunnelling microscopy, atomic force microscopy, electron diffraction, surface spectroscopy and theoretical modelling techniques are critically reviewed. A series of investigations that characterise the structural and chemical environment of SrTiO3 surfaces are outlined and discussed. Various issues regarding SrTiO3 surfaces are examined, including near-surface chemistry, surface terminations and surface structure. Emphasis is put on the link between surface processing methods and properties. A rich variety of surface reconstructions and structures have been observed but few are well characterised. Future advances in understanding these surfaces will be accompanied by studies that apply these surfaces for engineering new systems on the nanoscale.