Underlayer Growth of a Nanoporous Single Atomic Layer of Gold

Abstract

We have grown a single-layer-thick porous gold film with pore size of ∼1 nm. The film is created by deposition of gold atoms onto a C60 covered Au(111) surface. By controlling the sample temperature at 120–150 K, the deposited gold atoms are able to penetrate the molecular layer and reach the C60–Au(111) interface. At the interface, the gold atoms squeeze beneath some C60 molecules forming single-layer-high Au islands with lateral dimensions of the order of 1 nm. C60 molecules sitting directly above such a Au nanoisland are hence lifted up from the initial Au(111) substrate. The above process self-replicates leading to the formation of a single atomic layer porous gold film with pore size of ∼1 nm.