Order and Disorder in C60 and KxC60 Multilayers: Direct Imaging with Scanning Tunneling Microscopy

• Published in: Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) Vol. 253; no. 5018; pp. 429 - 433
• Main Authors: Li, Y Z, Chander, M, Patrin, J C, Weaver, J H, Chibante, L P, Smalley, R E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Association for the Advancement of Science 26-07-1991
• Subjects: Buckminsterfullerene; Multilayered thin films; Scanning tunneling microscopy; Thin films, Multilayered
• ISSN: 0036-8075; 1095-9203
• DOI: 10.1126/science.253.5018.429

Monolayer and multilayer structures of C(60), a high temperature van der Waals solid, have been studied with scanning tunneling microscopy. Structures grown on GaAs(110) at 300 kelvin and at elevated temperatures show significantly different morphologies because of balances between thermodynamics and kinetics. Condensation onto stepped surfaces demonstrates preferred bonding and nucleation at step edges. Detailed studies of potassium incorporation in crystalline C(60) show highly ordered structures in the K(3)C(60) metallic state but disordered non-metallic structures for high potassium concentrations.