Self-Organized Growth of Nanoparticles on a Surface Patterned by a Buried Dislocation Network

TL;DR

This study demonstrates the self-organized growth of 10 nm Co nanoparticles on a patterned Ag surface, guided by a buried dislocation network that induces a periodic strain field, enabling controlled nanoparticle placement at room temperature.

Contribution

It introduces a method for directing nanoparticle growth using a buried dislocation network to create a periodic strain pattern on a surface.

Findings

Nanoparticles with 10 nm periodicity were grown at room temperature.

A buried dislocation network induces a surface strain pattern.

Molecular Dynamics simulations explain nucleation preferences.

Abstract

The self-organized growth of Co nanoparticles with 10 nm periodicity was achieved at room temperature on a Ag(001) surface patterned by an underlying dislocation network, as shown by real time, in situ Grazing Incidence Small and Wide Angle X-ray Scattering. The misfit dislocation network, buried at the interface between a 5nm-thick Ag thin film and a MgO(001) substrate, induces a periodic strain field on top of the surface. Nucleation and growth of Co on tensile areas are found as the most favorable sites as highlighted by Molecular Dynamic simulations.