Scanning tunneling microscopy investigation of self-assembly behavior of C60 on an intrinsically patterned Ag5Se2 surface

Abstract

Extensive research has been conducted on the use of surface nanotemplates, whether artificially or naturally patterned, to regulate the self-assembly processes on surfaces. It has become clear that in order to gain a better understanding and control over the formation of well-ordered two-dimensional nanostructure arrays, detailed investigations into the nucleation and growth of adsorbates (molecules, atoms, or clusters) on the surface nanotemplates are essential. The present study focuses on the self-assembly structure, nucleation, and growth process of C60 molecules on the patterned Ag5Se2/Ag(111) surface, utilizing low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy. The findings reveal that C60 molecules exhibit a preference for appearing at the triangular domain boundaries on the Ag5Se2/Ag(111) surface. As coverage increases, the molecules continue to grow across regions, ultimately forming a densely packed island self-assembled structure. Owing to the weak interaction between C60 molecules and Ag5Se2/Ag(111), the molecules adopt various orientation configurations. This research contributes valuable insights into the fabrication of carbon nanodevices on patterned substrates.