Method of metallic clusters fabrication with desired size using scanning tunneling microscopy tip induced reactions

摘要

A method of transferring a single metal atom from a first location to a second location on the surface of a metal oxide is disclosed. The method includes obtaining a material having a first metal atom deposited on a first oxygen atom vacancy of the metal oxide and transferring the first metal atom of the metal on the first oxygen atom vacancy to a second location on the metal oxide by applying a voltage to the first metal atom. The second location can be a second metal atom on a second oxygen atom vacancy of the metal oxide, where the first and second metal atoms form a first metal atom-second metal atom species, or a metal atom of the metal oxide, where the first metal atom and the metal atom of the metal oxide forms a first metal atom-metal atom of the metal oxide species.