Effect of charge transfer on the geometric structure of a C${}_{70}$ monolayer on the surface of Ag(111)

Effect of charge transfer on the geometric structure of a C $_{70}$ monolayer on the surface of Ag(111)

Peng Wang, Han-Jie Zhang, Yan-Jun Li, Chun-Qi Sheng, Ying Shen, Hai-Yang Li, Shi-Ning Bao, and Hong-Nian Li

Phys. Rev. B 85, 205445 – Published 24 May 2012

Abstract

Using scanning tunneling microscopy, we have investigated the adsorption geometry of a C $_{70}$ monolayer on the surface of Ag(111). C $_{70}$ molecules form the commensurate $(\sqrt{13} \times \sqrt{13}) R \pm 13 . 9^{\circ}$ structure and present temperature-dependent bright/dim contrast. Our analyses reveal that the Coulomb repulsion between the charged molecules is the reason for the pits formed at various fullerene/metal interfaces. For the C $_{70}$ monolayer, the Coulomb repulsion still makes the upright molecular orientation preferable and leads to the invalidation of the rule of lattice match.