Formation of one-dimensional crystalline silica on a metal substrate

We have observed formation of one-dimensional silica structures of 0.5 nm in width on Mo(1 1 2) single crystal surface. Combination of high-resolution scanning tunneling microscopy, photoelectron and infrared spectroscopy, and density functional theory provides strong evidence for formation of paired rows of corner sharing [SiO4] tetrahedra chemisorbed on a metal substrate.