Patterned deposition of metallic nanoclusters from solution using synchrotron radiation

High-energy x-rays produced by synchrotron radiation sources can induce nanocrystalline metallic deposition from a metal-salt solution onto an insulator. We have investigated patterned deposition of metallic nanoclusters on a silicon dioxide surface. The regularity of the deposited nanostructures and the surface morphology of the films depend on the incident x-ray dose. Most of the deposits were composed of spherical nanoparticles. Atomic force microscope (AFM) measurements suggest an average lateral grain size of about 150 nm. Energy dispersion x-ray (EDX) analysis shows that the x-ray-deposited gold is pure.