The influence of morphological and structural parameters of microdimensional tetrapods ZnO on their activity in the reaction of photocatalytic degradation of ciprofloxacin under the influence of UV light has been studied. The greatest activity (velocity constant 25.5 · 10-3 min-1) was demonstrated by unalloyed ZnO tetrapods obtained in the presence of Au in the initial charge, which had the smallest geometric parameters. The photocatalytic activity of tetrapods is explained by the highly defective structure of their near-surface layers. Photoactive microsize tetrapods ZnO, synthesized by the carbothermal method, can be used in the mineralization of toxic organic compounds.

Metal-stimulated decomposition of sapphire surface at room temperature in a flux of electrons with energy of 70 keV. The stimulant used is an ensemble of crystalline islands of gold. It was first established that the presence of an ensemble of gold islands on the surface of sapphire significantly reduces substrate temperature and electron energy at which decomposition occurs surfaces. Etching pits form near gold islands and have an elongated shape with the following dimensions: length up to 1.2 μm, width up to 0.8 μm and average depth 20 nm. Maximum area the base of the islands increases from 0.6 to 1.8 μm2.

A model of interaction of gold nanoislands during chemical vapor deposition in vacuum both in the presence of charges in the vapor and after their removal has been considered. A growth stage has been revealed (the mean sediment thickness is more than 2 nm) in which the mutual attraction of gold nanoislands and a sharp increase in their sizes is observed. In this stage, the sediment with removed charges exhibits retardation of the nanoisland growth. The influence of the substrate geometric profile on the sediment morphology is demonstrated. These investigations are promising for development of methods for nanocoating segmentation and formation of ordered nanoisland ensembles.