Interactions between two C₆₀molecules measured by scanning probe microscopies

Abstract

Abstract. C 60 -functionalized tips are used to probe C 60 molecules on Cu(111) with scanning tunneling and atomic force microscopy. Distinct and complex intramolecular contrasts are found. Maximal attractive forces are observed when for both molecules a [6,6] bond faces a hexagon of the other molecule. Density functional theory calculations including parameterized van der Waals interactions corroborate the observations.

AFM Imaging of Mercaptobenzoic Acid on Au(110): Submolecular Contrast with Metal Tips

“…Combined scanning tunneling and atomic force microscopy (STM and AFM) delivers information on molecular structures and chemical interactions on the atomic scale. The method was used for submolecular resolution imaging of pure hydrocarbons − as well as other carbon-based molecules like fullerenes − or π-conjugated polymers . In nearly all of these works, the tip of the scanning tunneling microscope was functionalized by a single CO molecule.…”

Submolecular resolution in scanning probe images of Sn-phthalocyanines on Cu(1 0 0) using metal tips

“…In detail, however, image interpretation remains a difficult task [6,7]. The positions of the atoms of the tip and the molecule may be affected by their mutual interactions to varying degrees [8][9][10][11]. In addition, electrostatic forces have to be taken into account, which in turn depend on the largely unknown dipole moment of the tip [12][13][14][15][16].…”