Surface-energy-driven secondary grain growth in thin Au films

Secondary grain growth in thin Au films on SiO2 substrates is reported. Secondary grains have {111} texture which minimizes the surface energy. This indicates that surface energy anisotropy provides selectivity in the driving force for growth of secondary grains. In thin Au films on SiO2, surface-energy-driven secondary grain growth occurs at room temperature as soon as a film becomes continuous. This mode of grain growth is, most likely, responsible for the development of the frequently observed {111} deposition texture in thin Au films.