Abstract

In the present paper we investigate the effect of heat-treatment on geometry and mobility of Au nanoparticles (NPs) on Si substrate. Chemically synthesized Au nanoparticles with median diameter of 14 nm were annealed at 200°C, 400°C, 600°C and 800°C for 1 hour. Geometry changes from faceted towards more rounded shapes were observed already for 200^oC and increased further for higher temperatures. According to KCM simulations NPs become rounded through the minimization of the surface area and transitioning to lower energy surface types {111} and {100}. Next, NPs were manipulated with AFM and it was found that the higher is annealing temperature, the less energy was required to displace the particle. However, after treatment at 800°C particles became immovable. We attributed this surprising effect to diffusion of gold into Si and to the growth of SiO₂.

Keywords: Gold, nanoparticles, melting, AFM, manipulation

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When a peer-reviewed version of this preprint is available, this information will be updated in the information box above. If no peer-reviewed version is available, please cite this preprint using the following information:

Oras, S.; Vlassov, S. V.; Polyakov, B.; Antsov, M.; Lõhmus, R.; Mougin, K. Beilstein Arch. 2019, 201968. doi:10.3762/bxiv.2019.68.v1

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