h-BN on Pd(1Â 1Â 0): a tunable system for self-assembled nanostructures?

A one-monolayer thick covalent network of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) forms on Pd(1 1 0) upon thermal decomposition of borazine (HBNH)3. Due to the weak interfacial bonding, the different symmetries of overlayer and substrate, and the lattice mismatch, a variety of rotated domains are created. Several Moiré patterns appear in STM images, which can be well explained by simple atomic models. Rings in LEED manifest domain averaging. Non-uniform intensity distributions along these rings measure the abundance of certain domains, depending on particular preparation procedures. The individual Moiré domains represent interesting periodic nanostructures that can be imprinted in an adsorbed layer of C60 molecules.