Substrate Dependence in the Formation of Au Nanoislands for Plasmonic Platform Application

Abstract

In this work, the influence of the various substrates on Au nanoisland formation has been studied. Nanostructures were obtained via annealing of thin Au films. In order to determine nanoisland formation mechanisms, correlation between an initial film thickness and temperature of formation, shapes, and dimensions of nanostructures was examined. For the surface morphology studies, nanograin structure, and chemical composition analysis, SEM, HR TEM, and EDS measurements were performed, respectively. Morphology studies showed that the temperature at which nanostructures form varies for different substrates, which indicates high impact of the substrate material on the nanostructure formation. In the case of silicon substrate, besides the phenomenon of spinodal dewetting, the effect of eutectics on the nanostructures was additionally taken into consideration.