Bent graphite surfaces as guides for cluster diffusion and anisotropic growth

Abstract

The interaction between neutral silver clusters and graphite surfaces is studied by cluster deposition and aggregation experiments. It is shown that the cluster diffusion is strongly influenced by the surface curvature. Convexly bent areas act as repulsive barriers for the cluster diffusion. Bent areas can therefore be used as constraints and guides, in which clusters aggregate quasi-one-dimensionally to organized, elongated silver structures with diameters below 20 nm.