van der Waals epitaxy of $α$-MoO$_3$ films on f-mica by pulsed sputter deposition

Abstract: This study examines the growth characteristics and structural properties of $\alpha$-MoO$_3$ thin films with thicknesses ranging from 2.5 to 160 nm, deposited on f-mica and c-sapphire substrates at 400 {\deg}C. X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that the films are predominantly orthorhombic $\alpha$-MoO$_3$ with a preferred 0k0 orientation along the out-of-plane direction on both substrates. The d-spacing for the 060 reflection shows a slight reduction with increased thickness, particularly on f-mica, which suggests minimal out-of-plane strain in the film and a stabilization of lattice parametes over larger thicknesses. Furthermore, full-width at half maximum measurements indicate improved stacking and crystal quality on f-mica compared to c-sapphire. The films on f-mica exhibit epitaxial growth with specific orientation relationships, while films on c-sapphire display a fiber texture. The near-thickness-independent nature of the peak positions on f-mica suggests stable lattice parameters and reduced strain accumulation, could be attributed to the van der Waals epitaxy. These results highlight the role of substrate choice in $\alpha$-MoO$_3$ film growth and minimizing strain, providing valuable insights into the tuning of thin-film properties.