Growth of gold nanoparticles on faceted O/Ru(11-20) nanotemplate

► The O/Ru(11-20) surface consisting of parallel and uniform ridges is used as a nanotemplate for the growth of gold nanoparticles. ► Gold nanoparticles with regular spacings and uniform size are fabricated on this nanotemplate. ► Gold nanoparticles are found to nucleate preferentially within valleys of the faceted surface. ► The size of gold nanoparticles can be controlled by changing gold coverage.