Core-shell structure in self-assembled lead/lead-oxide nanoclusters revealed by photoelectron spectroscopy

Chaofan Zhang, Tomas Andersson, Svante Svensson, Olle Bjorneholm, Maxim Tchaplyguine

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Nanoclusters containing metallic lead and lead oxide have been produced by self-assembly out of a primary mixture of lead atoms and oxygen in a reactive sputtering-based cluster source. Comparison of the valence and core-level responses in the photoelectron spectra shows that clusters have a core-shell structure with a lead-oxide core coated by an outer shell of metallic lead. This core-shell order is opposite to that typical for most microscopic and macroscopic materials. We explain this by the peculiarities of the cluster production kinetics and by the system's energy minimization striving due to what lead oxide is placed in the core of the mixed cluster. DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.87.035402
Original languageEnglish
Article number035402
JournalPhysical Review B (Condensed Matter and Materials Physics)
Volume87
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2013

Subject classification (UKÄ)

  • Natural Sciences
  • Physical Sciences

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Core-shell structure in self-assembled lead/lead-oxide nanoclusters revealed by photoelectron spectroscopy'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this