Nucleation behavior of supported Rh nanoparticles fabricated from Rh(CO)2(acac) on Al2O3/Ni3Al(1Â 1Â 1)

► Rh nucleates on both the Network and the Dot structures of the Al2O3/Ni3Al(1 1 1) surface. ► DFT calculations show that Rh(CO)2(acac) is likely deligated upon adsorption. ► Particle growth is 2-D at room temperature and becomes 3-dimensional only upon heating the substrate.