Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 February 2011
The growth of Au on TiO2 (110) has been examined by high resolution fielc emission scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM) in combination with electror backscattered diffraction (EBSD). The Au was evaporated under UHV conditions onto stoichiometric TiO2 (110) surfaces in the temperature range from 300 to 475 K. At 300 K and for low coverages (<1.5 nm), Au grows as discrete particles. For thicker coverages (>1.5 nm), the particles coalesce to form a network, but percolation is absent even aftel deposition of 5 nm Au. Upon annealing or deposition (≥ 5 nm) at 475 K, the particles, appear clearly faceted and are oriented along specific crystallographic directions. EBSE patterns taken from individual particles reveal two equivalent domain orientations rotated by 180° with epitaxial orientation relationships corresponding to (111)Au//(110)TiO and [110] // [001]TiO2 (Orientation I) and [110] // [001]TiO2.(Orientation II)