In:
Applied Physics Letters, AIP Publishing, Vol. 99, No. 12 ( 2011-09-19)
Abstract:
We present a combined non-contact atomic force microscopy and Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) investigation of the structural and electrical properties of Au nanoclusters on a TiO2 model-oxide surface at room temperature. The KPFM images reveal an increase in the local contact potential difference (LCPD) of Au clusters with respect to the supporting TiO2 surface. Variation of the LCPD shift with a broad range of tip-cluster distances verifies that the obtained KPFM images are not a cause of the topographic artifacts. Based on the LCPD shift, both in the distance-dependent bias spectroscopy and KPFM images, we provide new evidence supporting the charge transfer formation from the surface to the Au cluster. We attribute the increment of the LCPD over an Au cluster site to the presence of surface dipoles, created by the charge transfer, pointing towards the substrate.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0003-6951
,
1077-3118
Language:
English
Publisher:
AIP Publishing
Publication Date:
2011
detail.hit.zdb_id:
211245-0
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1469436-0
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