Adsorption, Desorption, and Contact and Thermal Transformation of C[sub 60] Molecules on a Ta(100) Surface

Abstract

The adsorption, desorption, initial film growth, and contact and thermal transformation of C60 molecules on a Ta(100) surface in ultra high vacuum at temperatures from 300 to 2000 K are investigated. It is shown that C60 molecules from the first adsorption layer undergo a significant transformation even at room temperature, forming a loose monolayer. The subsequent growth of fullerite occurs in accordance with the Stranski-Krastanov mechanism and results in the formation of compact islands. The thermal stability ranges of fullerite films on tantalum are determined and it is shown that decomposition occurs in the temperature range 850–950 K mainly due to decomposition of the molecules (induced by the catalytically active surface) rather than thermal desorption.