Nanoscale Structures of Iron Silicides on NaCl (001) Surface: Self-assembly Synthesis, Morphology, and Optical Properties

Abstract

We have shown a novel method for the synthesis of iron silicide nanoparticles on a water-soluble NaCl substrate using thermal layer-by-layer deposition of Fe–Si and post-annealing in ultra-high vacuum. The crystal structure, morphology and optical properties of highly dispersed Fe–Si-containing thin films have been studied. As a result, Fe₃Si nanoparticles were found to spontaneously form on the surface of salt with an excess of iron in a wide stoichiometric range. We propose a simple method to control the geometric shape of synthesized Fe–Si ferromagnetic nanoparticles by preparation of NaCl surface.