Electron energy loss study of TiC [111]

The electron energy loss (EEL) spectra of TiC (111) were measured over a wide range of electron primary energies. The electron energy losses below 16 eV were analyzed using the theoretical band calculations of Price and Cooper [11]. The volume and surface plasma excitations were identified from their electron primary energy dependence. Energy losses due to core electrons autoinization effects were identified above 35 eV. We observed a difference in the electronic structure of the surface vs the bulk of TiC. The temperature dependence of the EEL spectra was studied between 300 to 1250 K. The reaction of the TiC surface with ethylene and oxygen was also investigated. The ethylene bonding to the TiC surface was found to be very weak. There is evidence of the formation of surface defects on the TiC (111) surface at high temperatures.