Formation of Monodisperse (WO3)3 Clusters on TiO2(110)

In groups of three: Monodisperse clusters of WO3 were prepared on a TiO2(110) surface through direct sublimation of WO3 onto the substrate at 300 K followed by annealing to 600 K (see image). Combined evidence from scanning tunneling microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, quartz crystal mass balance, and density functional theory strongly indicates that the clusters are cyclic (WO3)3 species.