Guided growth of Ag nanoparticles on SrTiO3 (110) surface

The formation process of Ag nanoparticles on SrTiO(3)(110) surface is studied by scanning tunneling microscope. The quasi-long-range ordered adsorbates pre-existing on (4×1)-reconstructed surface serve as nucleation centers and guide the growth of a uniform Ag nanoparticles array. Such a regulatory effect is further manifested by comparing the growth behavior with that on relatively flat (5 × 1)-reconstructed and rough amorphous SrTiO(3)(110) surface. It is also found that the pre-existing adsorbates on (4 × 1) remarkably enhance the thermal stability of Ag nanoparticles.