Metal-oxide interfaces at the nanoscale

In contrast to the 6×7 spacing registry that yields a minimum coincidence misfit, we find that the nanoscale Cu2O–Cu interface formed during initial oxidation of Cu(111) surfaces adopts a 5×6 coincidence site lattice that is accommodated by an increased lattice misfit strain. A simple analysis on the equilibrium elastic strain in epitaxial oxide nanoislands reveals a previously unnoticed correlation between the interface structure and surface stresses at the nanoscale.