Understanding palladium-tellurium cluster formation on WTe₂: From a kinetically hindered distribution to thermodynamically controlled monodispersity.

ABSTRACT: A fundamental understanding of the transition metal dichalcogenide (TMDC)-metal interface is critical for their utilization in a broad range of applications. We investigate how the deposition of palladium (Pd), as a model metal, on WTe₂(001), leads to the assembly of Pd into clusters and nanoparticles. Using X-ray photoemission spectroscopy, scanning tunneling microscopy imaging, and ab initio simulations, we find that Pd nucleation is driven by the interaction with and the availability of mobile excess tellurium (Te) leading to the formation of Pd-Te clusters at room temperature. Surprisingly, the nucleation of Pd-Te clusters is not affected by intrinsic surface defects, even at elevated temperatures. Upon annealing, the Pd-Te nanoclusters adopt an identical nanostructure and a

SUBMITTER: Evans PE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10321376 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature