On the generation of metal clusters with the electrochemical scanning tunneling microscope

M. G. DEL PÓPOLO; E. P. M. LEIVA; M. M. MARISCAL; W. SCHMICKLER

SURFACE SCIENCE

Elsevier

Año: 2005 vol. 587 p. 133 - 133

0039-6028

n the present workwe consider two aspects of the deposition of metal clusters on an electrode surface. The formationof such clusters with the tip of a scanning tunneling microscope is simulated by atom dynamics. Subsequently thestability of these clusters is investigated by Monte Carlo simulations in a grand-canonical ensemble. In particular, thefollowing systems were considered explicitly: Pd clusters on Au(11 1), Cu on Au(111), Ag on Au(111), Pb on Au(11 1)and Cu on Ag(111). The analysis of the results obtained for the different systems leads to the conclusion that optimalsystems for nanostructuring are those where the metals participating have similar cohesive energies and negative heatsof alloy formation. In this respect, the system Cu–Pd(111) is predicted as a good candidate for the formation of stableclusters.