Smallest separation of nanorods from physical vapor deposition

摘要

In catalysis applications, it is desirable to have nanorods of smaller diameter. However, if the separation of nanorods is smaller than their diameter, nanorods will merge to become dense films. The separation of nanorods derives from the separation of nucleating clusters on the substrate. This letter reports a theory of the smallest separation of nanorods. This theory is in closed form and is verified by accompanying lattice kinetic Monte Carlo simulations. The theoretical prediction of transition from nanorods to dense films—when the separation of nanorods is smaller than their diameter—is in good agreement with in-house experimental observation.