Moir\'e induced organization of size-selected Pt clusters soft landed on epitaxial graphene

TL;DR

This study demonstrates the self-organization of size-selected Pt nanoparticles into hexagonal arrays on epitaxial graphene, driven by the moiré pattern, with stability up to 650 K, revealing strong cluster-surface interactions.

Contribution

It shows for the first time that moiré patterns can induce stable, ordered arrays of Pt clusters on graphene at room temperature.

Findings

Pt clusters form hexagonal arrays aligned with the moiré pattern

Clusters remain quasi-spherical after deposition and annealing

Ordered arrays are stable up to 650 K

Abstract

Two-dimensional hexagonal arrays of Pt nanoparticles (1.45 nm diameter) have been obtained by deposition of preformed and size selected Pt80 nanoparticles on graphene. This original self-organization is induced, at room temperature, by the 2D periodic undulation (the moir\'e pattern) of graphene epitaxially grown on the Ir(111) surface. By means of complementary techniques (scanning tunneling microscopy, grazing incidence X ray scattering), the Pt clusters shapes and organization are characterized and the structural evolution during annealing is investigated. The soft-landed clusters remain quasi-spherical and a large proportion appears to be pinned on specific moir\'e sites. The quantitative determination of the proportion of organized clusters reveals that the obtained hexagonal array of the almost spherical nanoparticles is stable up to 650 K, which is an indication of a strong cluster-surface interaction.