ABSTRACT
Crystals consist of atoms that are organized in three dimensions, forming periodic structures. Most binary metal oxides form ionic crystals that crystallize in a small number of structure types, including that of NaCl, rutile, £uorite, corundum, and spinel. Most metal monoxides (MO) crystallize in the NaCl-type structure and metal dioxides (MO2) crystallize in the £uorite-or rutile-type structures. The structure of metal oxides is extensively described in several textbooks, including Kittel [1], Ashcroft [2], and West [3].
