Self-Limiting Growth of Pt Nanoparticles from $\mathrm{M}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{C}\mathrm{p}\mathrm{P}\mathrm{t}{\mathrm{M}\mathrm{e}}_3$ Adsorbed on ${\mathrm{T}\mathrm{i}\mathrm{O}}_2(110)$ Studied by Scanning Tunneling Microscopy

The growth of Pt nanoparticles from the metal-organic precursor [$\mathrm{M}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{C}\mathrm{p}\mathrm{P}\mathrm{t}{\mathrm{M}\mathrm{e}}_3$: (methylcyclopentadienyl) trimethyl platinum] on ${\mathrm{T}\mathrm{i}\mathrm{O}}_2(110)$ was studied by scanning tunneling microscopy. 2D-like Pt particles on the surface were formed in a self-limiting growth mode. The inner structure of the particles was resolved as unique tetramerlike bright spots. A mechanism for the self-limiting growth of Pt particles is proposed.