Temperature dependence of Cu₂O orientations in oxidation of Cu (111)/ZnO (0001) by oxygen plasma

The role of temperature on the oxidation dynamics of Cu₂O on ZnO (0001) was investigated during the oxidation of Cu (111)/ZnO (0001) by using the oxygen plasma as oxidant. A transition from single crystalline Cu₂O (111) orientation to micro-zone phase separation with multiple orientations was revealed when the oxidation temperature increased from 300 ℃ to higher. The experimental results clearly showed the effect of oxidation temperature with the assistance of oxygen plasma on changing the morphology of Cu (111) film and enhancing the lateral nucleation and migration abilities of cuprous oxides. A vertical top-down oxidation mode and a lateral migration model were proposed to explain the different nucleation and growth dynamics of the temperature-dependent oxidation process in the oxidation of Cu (111)/ZnO (0001).