Self-aligned Co nanoparticle chains supported by single-crystalline Al ₂O₃/NiAl(100) template

We present Co nanoparticle chains grown by vapor deposition over a single-crystalline Al₂O₃ layers on NiAl(100) with such features as self-limiting size distribution with the average size of ∼2.7 nm, well-ordered alignment, and high thermal stability. We attribute these features to peculiar one-dimensional long stripes with ∼4 nm interdistance on the surface of the ultrathin Al₂O₃ template. This nanostructure may open the door to numerous applications, such as catalysis and nanostorage, where large area well-ordered nanodots are desired.