Gold Chain Formation via Local Lifting of Surface Reconstruction by Hot Electron Injection on H₂(D₂)/Au(111)

Area of Science:

• Surface Science
• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• The Au(111) surface exhibits a unique 22 × √3 herringbone reconstruction due to surface stress.
• This reconstruction is energetically favored but can be modified by adsorbed species.

Purpose of the Study:

• To controllably lift the herringbone reconstruction on Au(111) using hot electron injection.
• To investigate the formation and manipulation of nanostructures on the Au(111) surface.

Main Methods:

• Utilized scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) for precise hot electron injection and surface characterization.
• Employed rotational spectromicroscopy and ab initio calculations for detailed analysis.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated controllable lifting of the herringbone reconstruction at cryogenic temperatures via hot electron injection in the presence of H2.
• Observed the formation of gold atomic chains and surface hydrides through a zipper-like growth mechanism.
• Showcased terrace-selective transformation of Au(111) over hundreds of nanometers.

Conclusions:

• Hot electron injection provides a precise method to modify the Au(111) surface reconstruction and create ordered nanostructures.
• The formation of gold hydrides and atomic chains is linked to surface stress release and hydrogen dissociation.
• This technique offers significant potential for nanoscale engineering on metal surfaces.