Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
5425813 | Surface Science | 2006 | 5 Pages |
We have studied the growth mode and morphology of Ni clusters on a TiO2(1 1 0) surface with a wide terrace using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) at a low coverage (less than 3 atoms nmâ2). The Ni clusters are formed on the terrace at the low coverage of 0.2 atoms nmâ2. Their average dimensions are constant in three directions up to 1 atoms nmâ2. The Ni clusters have an oval shape with average sizes of 1.8 nm (along [0 0 1]) Ã 1.4 nm (along [11¯0])Ã0.38nm (in the [1 1 0] directions). Above the coverage of 1.0 atoms nmâ2, an increase in the cluster height occurs, retaining an almost constant lateral size. It is proposed that the interaction of the Ni cluster and the support surface regulates the Ni cluster size.