Surface nanoformations during oxidation of SnS₂ layered crystals

Abstract

The surface topology of unoxidized and oxidized SnS₂ crystals was studied using atomic force microscopy. For unoxidized samples grown by chemical transport reactions, the surface exhibits relief fluctuations in the form of nanometer-scale step-like strips. After oxidation, the surface transforms into a dense array of nanoneedles oriented perpendicular to the crystal plane. These features should be taken into account in the fabrication of heterostructures and in physical studies of oxide–semiconductor structures.