Two-dimensional needle growth of electrodeposited Ni on reconstructed Au(111)

In situ scanning tunneling microscopy experiments reveal a new growth morphology in the form of highly anisotropic monolayer islands (needles) during the electrodeposition of submonolayer coverages of Ni on reconstructed Au(111). To explain the well-defined orientation and shape of these Ni needles a model is suggested where the interaction with the underlying substrate lattice induces a pronounced structural anisotropy in the Ni deposit. The unusual nucleation and growth behavior allows the generation of novel Ni nanogratings.