Bottom-up assembly of single-domain titania nanosheets on (1 x 2)-Pt(110).

A bottom-up route towards the synthesis of titania nanosheets is explored, alternative to the exfoliation of layered titanates. Nanosheets are assembled from the constituent elements and epitaxially matched to a suitable substrate: (1 x 2)-Pt(110). Their basic lepidocrocite structure is modulated at the nanoscale due to coincidence with the substrate. Density functional calculations reveal the structure details of the nanosheet, which is also shown to be in close relationship with a (001)-oriented anatase bilayer.