Exotic nanostructures on metal surfaces

Today, in addition to widely studied nanoobjects, there are a number of less popular, but no less interesting, exotic nanostructures. They occupy some intermediate position in their physicochemical properties. The review examines the following exotic nanostructures that form in bimetallic systems: atomic superlattices, flat dendrites, finger-like protrusions, connected nanostructures embedded in the first layer of the substrate, as well as clusters forming under the surface at a depth of several atomic layers. Both experimental methods for obtaining such nanostructures and theoretical approaches to modeling their formation are discussed in detail. The physicochemical properties of exotic nanostructures and possible prospects for their technical application are also discussed.