Decomposition Assisted by a Pre-deposited Metal

Thermal decomposition of [Fe(CO)5] can produce at relatively low temperatures, when compared to oxide supports, clean iron deposits when the support is copper or silver [78, 79], Thus, at 80 K under UHV, [Fe(CO)5] has been adsorbed on a Cu(lll) substrate. Decomposition of the iron precursor begins at 233 K and produces mainly adsorbed Fe(CO)4 species. A moderate heating to 323 K allows an iron film to be formed through decarbonylation of [Fe(CO)4]ads. No carbon contamination of the deposit has been detected [78]. A similar effect has been observed 

Finally, autocatalytic processes, which do not involve the use of a reactive gas can occur when appropriate ligands are introduced in the metal precursor. Thus, pure ruthenium films, with only 3mol.% carbon content, have been deposited 

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