title: Efficient electron-induced removal of oxalate ions and formation of copper nanoparticles from copper(II) oxalate precursor layers.
abstract: Copper(II) oxalate grown on carboxy-terminated self-assembled monolayers (SAM) using a step-by-step approach was used as precursor for the electron-induced synthesis of surface-supported copper nanoparticles. The precursor material was deposited by dipping the surfaces alternately in ethanolic solutions of copper(II) acetate and oxalic acid with intermediate thorough rinsing steps. The deposition of copper(II) oxalate and the efficient electron-induced removal of the oxalate ions was monitored by reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIRS). Helium ion microscopy (HIM) reveals the formation of spherical nanoparticles with well-defined size and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirms their metallic nature. Continued irradiation after depletion of oxalate does not lead to further particle growth giving evidence that nanoparticle formation is primarily controlled by the available amount of precursor.
authors.affiliation: University of Bremen, Institute for Applied and Physical Chemistry, Fachbereich 2 (Chemie/Biologie), Leobener Straße / NW 2, Postfach 330440, D-28334 Bremen, Germany.
authors.forename: Kai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rückriem
authors.affiliation: University of Bremen, Institute for Applied and Physical Chemistry, Fachbereich 2 (Chemie/Biologie), Leobener Straße / NW 2, Postfach 330440, D-28334 Bremen, Germany.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Grotheer
authors.affiliation: Physics of Supramolecular Systems, Bielefeld University, D-33615 Bielefeld, Germany.
authors.forename: Henning
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Vieker
authors.affiliation: Physics of Supramolecular Systems, Bielefeld University, D-33615 Bielefeld, Germany.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Penner
authors.affiliation: Physics of Supramolecular Systems, Bielefeld University, D-33615 Bielefeld, Germany.
authors.forename: André
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Beyer
authors.affiliation: Physics of Supramolecular Systems, Bielefeld University, D-33615 Bielefeld, Germany.
authors.forename: Armin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gölzhäuser
authors.affiliation: University of Bremen, Institute for Applied and Physical Chemistry, Fachbereich 2 (Chemie/Biologie), Leobener Straße / NW 2, Postfach 330440, D-28334 Bremen, Germany.
authors.forename: Petra
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Swiderek
keywords: copper(II) oxalate; electron-induced reactions; layer-by-layer deposition; nanoparticle formation; thin film