Clustering and Morphology Evolution of Gold on Nanostructured Surfaces of Silicon Carbide: Implications for Catalysis and Sensing

A fundamental understanding of the behavior gold (Au) nanostructures deposited on functional surfaces is imperative to discover and leverage interface-related phenomena that can boost efficiency existing electronic devices in sensorics, catalysis, spintronics. In present work, Au layers with nominal thickness 2 nm were sputter-deposited graphenized SiC substrates represented by buffer layer (BuL)/4H-SiC monolayer epitaxial graphene (MLG)/4H-SiC. Morphometric analysis means scanning electron microscopy shows BuL self-assembles nearly round-shaped plasmonically active islands, while MLG, a fractal growth considerably larger ramified islands observed. To correlate experimentally established differences surface morphology two types energetics kinetics nanostructure growth, deposit–substrate interaction strength was studied using density theory (DFT) calculations, molecular dynamics simulations, optical measurements. The theoretical considerations involve participation clusters different sizes at initial stages metal formation. results indicate exhibits stronger than which be considered as key aspect for explaining observed morphological differences. From statistical Raman spectra, indications intercalation MLG are discussed. current research that, due its unique chemistry, has peculiar affinity when compared other atomically flat surfaces, beneficial boosting high-performance catalytic sensing technologies based low-dimensional materials.