This is a nano-faceted Re(11-21) surface synthesized by deposition of carbon on the rhenium (Re) surface at elevated temperature.

Reconstruction to minimize the surface energy causes a transition from an atomically flat surface into this faceted surface characterized by three-sided pyramids with dimensions of 10 nm. This unique C/Re(11-21) surface with a well-defined facet structure and controlled facet size on the nanometer scale, free of any support material, serves as a model for catalysis at the nanoscale.