Crossover from Three-Dimensional to Two-Dimensional Geometries of Au Nanostructures on Thin MgO(001) Films: A Confirmation of Theoretical Predictions

Martin Sterrer, Thomas Risse, Markus Heyde, Hans-Peter Rust, and Hans-Joachim Freund
Phys. Rev. Lett. 98, 206103 – Published 14 May 2007

Abstract

In this Letter, we report a low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy study aiming to explore the adsorption properties of Au with respect to the thickness of supported MgO films. For different MgO film thicknesses (3 ML and 8 ML), we find significant differences in the distribution of Au adsorption sites and in the Au cluster geometry, in line with recent calculations and electron paramagnetic resonance experiments. On the surface of thick MgO films or unsupported MgO, Au adsorbs on O sites [Phys. Rev. Lett. 96, 146804 (2006)], and the equilibrium cluster geometry is three-dimensional. In contrast, on thin MgO films, the calculations predicted (i) a change of the preferred Au nuclation site [Phys. Rev. Lett. 94, 226104 (2005)] and (ii) a stabilization of two-dimensional Au cluster geometries [Phys. Rev. Lett. 97, 036106 (2006)].

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Received 1 February 2007

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.98.206103

©2007 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Martin Sterrer*, Thomas Risse, Markus Heyde, Hans-Peter Rust, and Hans-Joachim Freund

  • Fritz-Haber-Institut der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, Department of Chemical Physics, Faradayweg 4-6, D-14195 Berlin, Germany

  • *Electronic address: sterrer@fhi-berlin.mpg.de

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 98, Iss. 20 — 18 May 2007

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review Letters

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×