Nanoclusters and nanolines: the effect of molybdenum oxide substrate stoichiometry on iron self-assembly.

Title Nanoclusters and nanolines: the effect of molybdenum oxide substrate stoichiometry on iron self-assembly.
Authors O. Lübben; S.A. Krasnikov; B. Walls; N.N. Sergeeva; B.E. Murphy; A.N. Chaika; S.I. Bozhko; I.V. Shvets
Journal Nanotechnology
DOI 10.1088/1361-6528/aa6b50
Abstract

The growth of Fe nanostructures on the stoichiometric MoO2/Mo(110) and oxygen-rich MoO2+x /Mo(110) surfaces has been studied using low-temperature scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) and density functional theory calculations. STM results indicate that at low coverage Fe nucleates on the MoO2/Mo(110) surface, forming small, well-ordered nanoclusters of uniform size, each consisting of five Fe atoms. These five-atom clusters can agglomerate into larger nanostructures reflecting the substrate geometry, but they retain their individual character within the structure. Linear Fe nanocluster arrays are formed on the MoO2/Mo(110) surface at room temperature when the surface coverage is greater than 0.6 monolayers. These nanocluster arrays follow the direction of the oxide rows of the strained MoO2/Mo(110) surface. Slightly altering the preparation procedure of MoO2/Mo(110) leads to the presence of oxygen adatoms on this surface. Fe deposition onto the oxygen-rich MoO2+x /Mo(110) surface results in elongated nanostructures that reach up to 24 nm in length. These nanolines have a zigzag shape and are likely composed of partially oxidised Fe formed upon reaction with the oxygen-rich surface.

Citation O. Lübben; S.A. Krasnikov; B. Walls; N.N. Sergeeva; B.E. Murphy; A.N. Chaika; S.I. Bozhko; I.V. Shvets.Nanoclusters and nanolines: the effect of molybdenum oxide substrate stoichiometry on iron self-assembly.. Nanotechnology. 2017;28(20):205602. doi:10.1088/1361-6528/aa6b50

Related Elements

Molybdenum

See more Molybdenum products. Molybdenum (atomic symbol: Mo, atomic number: 42) is a Block D, Group 6, Period 5 element with an atomic weight of 95.96. Molybdenum Bohr ModelThe number of electrons in each of molybdenum's shells is [2, 8, 18, 13, 1] and its electron configuration is [Kr] 4d5 5s1. The molybdenum atom has a radius of 139 pm and a Van der Waals radius of 209 pm. In its elemental form, molybdenum has a gray metallic appearance. Molybdenum was discovered by Carl Wilhelm in 1778 and first isolated by Peter Jacob Hjelm in 1781. Molybdenum is the 54th most abundant element in the earth's crust. Elemental MolybdenumIt has the third highest melting point of any element, exceeded only by tungsten and tantalum. Molybdenum does not occur naturally as a free metal, it is found in various oxidation states in minerals. The primary commercial source of molybdenum is molybdenite, although it is also recovered as a byproduct of copper and tungsten mining. The origin of the name Molybdenum comes from the Greek word molubdos meaning lead.

Iron

See more Iron products. Iron (atomic symbol: Fe, atomic number: 26) is a Block D, Group 8, Period 4 element with an atomic weight of 55.845. The number of electrons in each of Iron's shells is 2, 8, 14, 2 and its electron configuration is [Ar] 3d6 4s2. Iron Bohr ModelThe iron atom has a radius of 126 pm and a Van der Waals radius of 194 pm. Iron was discovered by humans before 5000 BC. In its elemental form, iron has a lustrous grayish metallic appearance. Iron is the fourth most common element in the Earth's crust and the most common element by mass forming the earth as a whole. Iron is rarely found as a free element, since it tends to oxidize easily; it is usually found in minerals such as magnetite, hematite, goethite, limonite, or siderite.Elemental Iron Though pure iron is typically soft, the addition of carbon creates the alloy known as steel, which is significantly stronger.

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