Ab initio simulations of the Ag(111)/Al2O3 interface at intermediate oxygen partial pressures.

The relative stability of different realizations of the Ag(111)/Alumina interfaces with varying oxygen partial pressures is investigated by means of ab initio density functional theory (DFT) simulations. Previous theoretical studies of similar systems always involve oversimplified geometries like stoichiometric Al-terminated, Al-rich, or O-terminated alumina interfaces. Such framework cannot explain the experimental behavior observed at intermediate oxygen partial pressure. Our approach, instead, suggests that the oxygen at the interface can play an important role at intermediate concentrations, leading to a more realistic interpretation of the experimental data.