Self-assembled transition metals nanoparticles on oxide nanotemplates

In this work we present some significant paradigmatic examples of directed self assembling of transition metals deposited on ultrathin oxide layers grown on single crystal metal surfaces. Two major driving factors are considered in the description of the self assembling process on these systems, giving rise to ordered arrays of metal nanoparticles (NPs): the presence of defects in the oxide layer and the metal/oxide interaction. We first summarize the structure of different oxide layers, and we discuss the role of geometric and electronic factors in the formation of ordered Au and Fe NP arrays on the selected systems. The discussion suggests that the defective oxide template can drive the self organization of NPs, if the defects are accessible through the diffusion of metal adatoms on the surface, which in turn, is determined by the metal/oxide interaction.