Microscopic characterization of Fe nanoparticles formed on SrTiO₃(001) and SrTiO₃(110) surfaces

Abstract

SummaryFe nanoparticles grown on SrTiO3 (STO) {001} and {110} surfaces at room temperature have been studied in ultrahigh vacuum by means of transmission electron microscopy and scanning tunnelling microscopy. It was shown that some Fe nanoparticles grow epitaxially. They exhibit a modified Wulff shape: nanoparticles on STO {001} surfaces have truncated pyramid shapes while those on STO {110} surfaces have hexagonal shapes. From profile-view TEM images, approximate values of the adhesion energy of the nanoparticles for both shapes are obtained.