Atomically resolved orientational ordering of C60 molecules on epitaxial graphene on Cu(111)

Metamagnetic transition and a loss of magnetic hysteresis caused by electron trapping in monolayers of single-molecule magnet Tb2@C79N

Realization of stable spin states in surface-supported magnetic molecules is crucial for their applications in molecular spintronics, memory storage or quantum information processing. In this work, we studied the surface magnetism of dimetallo-azafullerene Tb₂@C₇₉N, showing a broad magnetic hysteresis in a bulk form. Surprisingly, monolayers of Tb₂@C₇₉N exhibited a completely different behavior, with the prevalence of a ground state with antiferromagnetic coupling at low magnetic field and a metamagnetic transition in the magnetic field of 2.5-4 T. Monolayers of Tb₂@C₇₉N were deposited onto Cu(111) and Au(111) by evaporation in ultra-high vacuum conditions, and their topography and electronic structure were characterized by scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy (STM/STS). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), in combination with DFT studies, revealed that the nitrogen atom of the azafullerene cage tends to avoid metallic surfaces. Magnetic properties of the (sub)monolayers were then studied by X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) at the Tb-M_4,5 absorption edge. While in bulk powder samples Tb₂@C₇₉N behaves as a single-molecule magnet with ferromagnetically coupled magnetic moments and blocking of magnetization at 28 K, its monolayers exhibited a different ground state with antiferromagnetic coupling of Tb magnetic moments. To understand if this unexpected behavior is caused by a strong hybridization of fullerenes with metallic substrates, XMCD measurements were also performed for Tb₂@C₇₉N adsorbed on h-BN|Rh(111) and MgO|Ag(100). The co-existence of two forms of Tb₂@C₇₉N was found on these substrates as well, but magnetization curves showed narrow magnetic hysteresis detectable up to 25 K. The non-magnetic state of Tb₂@C₇₉N in monolayers is assigned to anionic Tb₂@C₇₉N^- species with doubly-occupied Tb-Tb bonding orbital and antiferromagnetic coupling of the Tb moments. A charge transfer from the substrate or trapping of secondary electrons are discussed as a plausible origin of these species.

Strain-Relief Patterns and Kagome Lattice in Self-Assembled C60 Thin Films Grown on Cd(0001)

We report an ultra-high vacuum low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) study of the C₆₀ monolayer grown on Cd(0001). Individual C₆₀ molecules adsorbed on Cd(0001) may exhibit a bright or dim contrast in STM images. When deposited at low temperatures close to 100 K, C₆₀ thin films present a curved structure to release strain due to dominant molecule–substrate interactions. Moreover, edge dislocation appears when two different wavy structures encounter each other, which has seldomly been observed in molecular self-assembly. When growth temperature rose, we found two forms of symmetric kagome lattice superstructures, 2 × 2 and 4 × 4, at room temperature (RT) and 310 K, respectively. The results provide new insight into the growth behavior of C₆₀ films.

Structural and electronic properties of C60 fullerene network self-assembled on metal-covered semiconductor surfaces

Using first-principles density functional theory calculations, we made an accurate structural characterization of the C₆₀ superstructures self-assembled on the Tl-adsorbed Si(111) and Ge(111) surfaces, which finds a good agreement with the recent scanning tunneling microscopy observations. Our band structure calculations revealed the semi-metallic character of the C₆₀/Tl/Si(111) system, while the C₆₀/Tl/Ge(111) system was found to show up the pronounced metallic character due to the cascade of the flat bands lying in the vicinity of the Fermi level. The latter is a fingerprint for strong correlation effects in the C₆₀/Tl/Ge(111) system, which makes it a promising object for studying electrical transport phenomena and opens the prospects for its application in the molecular-based electronic devices. We elucidated the details of the molecule-substrate and intermolecular interactions and discussed the character of a charge transfer in both systems.

Structure transition of a C60 monolayer on the Bi(111) surface

The interfacial structures of C₆₀ molecules adsorbed on solid surfaces are essential for a wide range of scientific and technological processes in carbon-based nanodevices. Here, we report structural transitions of the C₆₀ monolayer on the Bi(111) surface studied via low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). With an increase in temperature, the structure of the C₆₀ monolayer transforms from local-order structures to a (√93 × √93) R20° superstructure, and then to a (11 × 11) R0° superstructure. Moreover, the individual C₆₀ molecules in different superstructures have different orientations. C₆₀ molecules adopt the 6 : 6 C–C bond and 5 : 6 C–C bond facing-up, mixed orientations, and hexagon facing-up in the local-order structure, (√93 × √93) R20°, and (11 × 11) R0° superstructure, respectively. These results shed important light on the growth mechanism of C₆₀ molecules on solid surfaces.

With the increase in temperature, the structure of the C₆₀ monolayer on the Bi(111) substrate transforms from local-order structures to a (√93 × √93) R20° superstructure, and then to a (11 × 11) R0° superstructure.

C60 self-orientation on hexagonal boron nitride induced by intermolecular coupling

A deep grasp of the properties of the interface between organic molecules and hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) is essential for the full implementation of these two building blocks in the next generation of electronic devices. Here, using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS), we report on the geometric and electronic features of C60 evaporated on a single layer of h-BN grown on a Rh(110) surface under ultra-high vacuum. Two different molecular assemblies of C60 on the h-BN/Rh(110) surface were observed. The first STM study at room temperature (RT) and at low temperatures (40 K) looked at the molecular orientation of C60 on a two-dimensional layered material. Intramolecular-resolution images demonstrate the existence of a phase transition of C60 over the h-BN/Rh(110) surface similar to that found on bulk solid C60. At RT molecules exhibit random orientations, while at 40 K such rotational disorder vanishes and they adopt a common orientation over the h-BN/Rh(110) surface. The decrease in thermal energy allows recognition between C60 molecules, and they become equally oriented in the configuration at which the van der Waals intermolecular interactions are optimized. Bias-dependent submolecular features obtained by means of high-resolution STM images are interpreted as the highest occupied and lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals. STS data showed that fullerenes are electronically decoupled from the substrate, with a negligible charge transfer effect if any. Finally, the very early stages of multilayer growth were also investigated.

Orientation Ordering and Chiral Superstructures in Fullerene Monolayer on Cd (0001)

The structure of C₆₀ thin films grown on Cd (0001) surface has been investigated from submonolayer to second monolayer regimes with a low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). There are different C₆₀ domains with various misorientation angles relative to the lattice directions of Cd (0001). In the (2√3 × 2√3) R30° domain, orientational disorder of the individual C₆₀ molecules with either pentagon, hexagon, or 6:6 bond facing up has been observed. However, orientation ordering appeared in the R26° domain such that all the C₆₀ molecules adopt the same orientation with the 6:6 bond facing up. In particular, complex chiral motifs composed of seven C₆₀ molecules with clockwise or anticlockwise handedness have been observed in the R4° and R8° domains, respectively. Scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS) measurements reveal a reduced HOMO–LOMO gap of 2.1 eV for the C₆₀ molecules adsorbed on Cd (0001) due to the substrate screening and charge transfer from Cd to C₆₀ molecules.

Electronic Decoupling of Organic Layers by a Self-Assembled Supramolecular Network on Au(111)

A cyanuric acid and melamine (CA·M) supramolecular network, prepared via the drop-casting method under ambient conditions, can be utilized as a spacer layer to decouple electronic interactions between upper organics and the metal substrate. Typical semiconducting organics 3,4,9,10-perylene-tetracarboxylic-dianhydride (PTCDA) and C₆₀ are deposited on the CA·M network under ultrahigh vacuum conditions, forming an organics/CA·M/metal heterosystem. Both geometric and electronic structures of the upper organics are characterized by using scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy (STM/STS). On the CA·M network, PTCDA molecules form a well-ordered herringbone structure in submonolayer patterns, whereas C₆₀ molecules aggregate into multilayered islands. STS spectra reveal that the energy gap between the highest occupied and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals (HOMO - LUMO) is 3.6 eV for PTCDA and 3.8 eV for the first layer of C₆₀ on CA·M. The remarkable bandgap broadening compared with the metal-organic contact indicates successful electronic decoupling of the upper molecules from the metal surface due to the CA·M network.

Preparation and Characterization of C60/Graphene Hybrid Nanostructures

Physical thermal deposition in a high vacuum environment is a clean and controllable method for fabricating novel molecular nanostructures on graphene. We present methods for depositing and passively manipulating C60 molecules on rippled graphene that advance the pursuit of realizing applications involving 1D C60/graphene hybrid structures. The techniques applied in this exposition are geared towards high vacuum systems with preparation areas capable of supporting molecular deposition as well as thermal annealing of the samples. We focus on C60 deposition at low pressure using a homemade Knudsen cell connected to a scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) system. The number of molecules deposited is regulated by controlling the temperature of the Knudsen cell and the deposition time. One-dimensional (1D) C60 chain structures with widths of two to three molecules can be prepared via tuning of the experimental conditions. The surface mobility of the C60 molecules increases with annealing temperature allowing them to move within the periodic potential of the rippled graphene. Using this mechanism, it is possible to control the transition of 1D C60 chain structures to a hexagonal close packed quasi-1D stripe structure.

Rotational superstructure in van der Waals heterostructure of self-assembled C60 monolayer on the WSe2 surface

Hybrid van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures composed of two-dimensional (2D) layered materials and self-assembled organic molecules are promising systems for electronic and optoelectronic applications with enhanced properties and performance. Control of molecular assembly is therefore paramount to fundamentally understand the nucleation, ordering, alignment, and electronic interaction of organic molecules with 2D materials. Here, we report the formation and detailed study of highly ordered, crystalline monolayers of C₆₀ molecules self-assembled on the surface of WSe₂ in well-ordered arrays with large grain sizes (∼5 μm). Using high-resolution scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), we observe a periodic 2 × 2 superstructure in the C₆₀ monolayer and identify four distinct molecular appearances. Using vdW-corrected ab initio density functional theory (DFT) simulations, we determine that the interplay between vdW and Coulomb interactions as well as adsorbate-adsorbate and adsorbate-substrate interactions results in specific rotational arrangements of the molecules forming the superstructure. The orbital ordering through the relative positions of bonds in adjacent molecules creates a charge redistribution that links the molecule units in a long-range network. This rotational superstructure extends throughout the self-assembled monolayer and opens a pathway towards engineering aligned hybrid organic/inorganic vdW heterostructures with 2D layered materials in a precise and controlled way.

Molecular assembly on two-dimensional materials

Molecular self-assembly is a well-known technique to create highly functional nanostructures on surfaces. Self-assembly on two-dimensional (2D) materials is a developing field driven by the interest in functionalization of 2D materials in order to tune their electronic properties. This has resulted in the discovery of several rich and interesting phenomena. Here, we review this progress with an emphasis on the electronic properties of the adsorbates and the substrate in well-defined systems, as unveiled by scanning tunneling microscopy. The review covers three aspects of the self-assembly. The first one focuses on non-covalent self-assembly dealing with site-selectivity due to inherent moiré pattern present on 2D materials grown on substrates. We also see that modification of intermolecular interactions and molecule-substrate interactions influences the assembly drastically and that 2D materials can also be used as a platform to carry out covalent and metal-coordinated assembly. The second part deals with the electronic properties of molecules adsorbed on 2D materials. By virtue of being inert and possessing low density of states near the Fermi level, 2D materials decouple molecules electronically from the underlying metal substrate and allow high-resolution spectroscopy and imaging of molecular orbitals. The moiré pattern on the 2D materials causes site-selective gating and charging of molecules in some cases. The last section covers the effects of self-assembled, acceptor and donor type, organic molecules on the electronic properties of graphene as revealed by spectroscopy and electrical transport measurements. Non-covalent functionalization of 2D materials has already been applied for their application as catalysts and sensors. With the current surge of activity on building van der Waals heterostructures from atomically thin crystals, molecular self-assembly has the potential to add an extra level of flexibility and functionality for applications ranging from flexible electronics and OLEDs to novel electronic devices and spintronics.

Graphene Ink as a Conductive Templating Interlayer for Enhanced Charge Transport of C60-Based Devices

We demonstrate conductive templating interlayers of graphene ink, integrating the electronic and chemical properties of graphene in a solution-based process relevant for scalable manufacturing. Thin films of graphene ink are coated onto ITO, following thermal annealing, to form a percolating network used as interlayer. We employ a benchmark n-type semiconductor, C₆₀, to study the interface of the active layer/interlayer. On bare ITO, C₆₀ molecules form films of homogeneously distributed grains; with a graphene interlayer, a preferential orientation of C₆₀ molecules is observed in the individual graphene plates. This leads to crystal growth favoring enhanced charge transport. We fabricate devices to characterize the electron injection and the effect of graphene on the device performance. We observe a significant increase in the current density with the interlayer. Current densities as high as ∼1 mA/cm² and ∼70 mA/cm² are realized for C₆₀ deposited with the substrate at 25 °C and 150 °C, respectively.

Controlling the Electronic and Structural Coupling of C60 Nano Films on Fe(001) through Oxygen Adsorption at the Interface

C₆₀ molecules coupled to metals form hybrid systems exploited in a broad range of emerging fields, such as nanoelectronics, spintronics, and photovoltaic solar cells. The electronic coupling at the C₆₀/metal interface plays a crucial role in determining the charge and spin transport in C₆₀-based devices; therefore, a detailed understanding of the interface electronic structure is a prerequisite to engineering the device functionalities. Here, we compare the electronic and structural properties of C₆₀ monolayers interfaced with Fe(001) and oxygen-passivated Fe(001)-p(1 × 1)O substrates. By combining scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy, Auger electron spectroscopy, photoemission and inverse photoemission spectroscopies, we are able to elucidate the striking effect of oxygen on the interaction between Fe(001) and C₆₀. Upon C₆₀ deposition on the oxygen-passivated surface, the oxygen layer remains buried at the C₆₀/Fe(001)-p(1 × 1)O interface, efficiently decoupling the fullerene film from the metallic substrate. Tunneling and photoemission spectroscopies reveal the presence of well-defined molecular resonances for the C₆₀/Fe(001)-p(1 × 1)O system, with a large HOMO-LUMO gap of about 3.4 eV. On the other hand, for the C₆₀/Fe(001) interface, a strong hybridization between the substrate states and the C₆₀ orbitals occurs, resulting in broader molecular resonances.

Fingerprints of Multiple Electron Scatterings in Single-Layer Graphene

The electrons in graphene exhibit unusual behaviours, which can be described by massless Dirac quasiparticles. Understanding electron scattering in graphene has been of significant importance for its future application in electronic devices because electron scattering determines electrical properties such as resistivity and electron transport. There are two types of electron scatterings in graphene: intervalley scattering and intravalley scattering. In single-layer graphene, to date, it has been difficult to observe intravalley scattering because of the suppression of backscattering resulting from the chiral nature of the electrons in graphene. Here, we report the multiple electron scattering behaviours in single-layer graphene on a metallic substrate. By applying one- and two-dimensional Fourier transforms to maps of the local density of states, we can distinguish individual scattering processes from complex interference patterns. These techniques enable us to provide direct evidence of intravalley scattering, revealing a linear dispersion relation with a Fermi velocity of ~7.4 × 10(5) m/s.

Temperature Evolution of Quasi-one-dimensional C60 Nanostructures on Rippled Graphene

We report the preparation of novel quasi-one-dimensional (quasi-1D) C60 nanostructures on rippled graphene. Through careful control of the subtle balance between the linear periodic potential of rippled graphene and the C60 surface mobility, we demonstrate that C60 molecules can be arranged into a quasi-1D C60 chain structure with widths of two to three molecules. At a higher annealing temperature, the quasi-1D chain structure transitions to a more compact hexagonal close packed quasi-1D stripe structure. This first experimental realization of quasi-1D C60 structures on graphene may pave a way for fabricating new C60/graphene hybrid structures for future applications in electronics, spintronics and quantum information.

Structural and Electrical Investigation of C60-Graphene Vertical Heterostructures

Graphene, with its unique electronic and structural qualities, has become an important playground for studying adsorption and assembly of various materials including organic molecules. Moreover, organic/graphene vertical structures assembled by van der Waals interaction have potential for multifunctional device applications. Here, we investigate structural and electrical properties of vertical heterostructures composed of C60 thin film on graphene. The assembled film structure of C60 on graphene is investigated using transmission electron microscopy, which reveals a uniform morphology of C60 film on graphene with a grain size as large as 500 nm. The strong epitaxial relations between C60 crystal and graphene lattice directions are found, and van der Waals ab initio calculations support the observed phenomena. Moreover, using C60-graphene heterostructures, we fabricate vertical graphene transistors incorporating n-type organic semiconducting materials with an on/off ratio above 3 × 10(3). Our work demonstrates that graphene can serve as an excellent substrate for assembly of molecules, and attained organic/graphene heterostructures have great potential for electronics applications.

Phenomenon of current occurrence during the motion of a C60 fullerene on substrate-supported graphene

It was found for the first time that the motion of a fullerene on graphene creates a small current.