Growth and electronic properties of Ti nanoislands on Au(111)

• Published in: Surface science Vol. 619; pp. 77 - 82
• Main Authors: Carrozzo, P., Tumino, F., Passoni, M., Bottani, C.E., Casari, C.S., Li Bassi, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier B.V 01-01-2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: Au herringbone reconstruction; Cluster growth; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Diffusion; Diffusion layers; Electronics; Exact sciences and technology; Growth mechanisms; Islands; Nanostructure; Physics; Reconstruction; Scanning tunneling microscopy; Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM) and Spectroscopy (STS); Titanium; Titanium nanoislands; Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM) and Spectroscopy (STS); Cluster growth; Au herringbone reconstruction; Titanium nanoislands; Growth mechanisms; Scanning tunneling microscopy; Transition elements; Growth mechanism; Titanium
• ISSN: 0039-6028; 1879-2758
• DOI: 10.1016/j.susc.2013.09.007

The initial growth of titanium nanoislands on the reconstructed Au(111) surface was investigated by Scanning Tunneling Microscopy and Scanning Tunneling Spectroscopy (STM/STS). Ti atoms evaporated onto room temperature substrate start to nucleate preferentially at the elbows of the Au(111) herringbone reconstruction; however ordered nucleation is accompanied by an early occurrence of out-of-elbow islands. Titanium islands are irregularly shaped, composed of smaller sub-units as grains of about 1–2nm2 and their growth leads to a distortion of the underlying gold surface. We observe a retarded coalescence of titanium first layer islands with respect to other similar systems. Comparing the experimental data with a diffusive model, quantitative information about the interlayer diffusion of the first two layers is obtained. STS spectra and differential conductivity maps show peculiar electronic features outlining an important interaction between Ti atoms and the Au(111) surface.
•Preferential nucleation of Ti nanoisland on Au(111) shows peculiar features with respect to other metals.•Interlayer diffusion is interpreted by rate equation model•STM/STS study allows to highlight the important interaction between Ti and the Au surface