Guided growth of Ag nanoparticles on SrTiO3 (110) surface

The formation process of Ag nanoparticles on SrTiO3(110) surface is studied by scanning tunneling microscope. The quasi-long-range ordered adsorbates pre-existing on (4 x 1)-reconstructed surface serve as nucleation centers and guide the growth of a uniform Ag nanoparticles array. Such a regulatory effect is further manifested by comparing the growth behavior with that on relatively flat (5 x 1)-reconstructed and rough amorphous SrTiO3(110) surface. It is also found that the pre-existing adsorbates on (4 x 1) remarkably enhance the thermal stability of Ag nanoparticles. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3648052]