Growth of Ag nanoclusters on a 1D template

Bi nanolines, which are 1.5 nm wide and can be over 500 nm long, have been used as a 1D template for the formation of arrays of small clusters of silver. Distinct nucleation and growth phases are observed. At room temperature, silver atoms preferentially adsorb onto the Bi nanoline templates to form arrays of spheroidal nanoclusters 0.55 nm in height, up to a saturation density of 6.7 clusters per 100 nm of nanoline. Further deposition of Ag results in the growth of the clusters on the nanolines up to 1.4 nm, accompanied by the formation of 0.55 nm clusters on the background. At 400 K, however, deposition of Ag results in the formation of clusters up to 4 nm in height, with the majority formed on the nanoline template.