Nucleation of Fe nanoparticle chains and nanostripes on Au(111) stepped surface

Abstract

Nucleation of regular nanoparticle chains, Fe nanostripes, and nanoisland array was demonstrated on Au(111) stepped surface, by different growth methods. With Xe buffer layer assisted growth, nanoparticles segregated right at the descending step edges, forming nanoparticle chains. Two-step growth (200 K deposition+300 K annealing) of Fe on properly chosen step (width=4.3±0.2 nm) resulted in single atomic height nanostripes at the descending edges. Through the multistep growth, 3×(0.15 ML Fe/8 L Xe at 90 K+350 K annealing) on 0.05 ML seeds, a regular bilayer-island array was prepared. The detailed nucleation mechanism is discussed. Our experimental observation manifests the possibilities for the preparation of various one-dimensional nanostructures on Au(111) stepped surface. It is especially important for future studies and applications in nanoscale magnetism and catalysis.