Adsorption of C60 on Si(111)√3 × √3R(30°)-Ag

Abstract With the aim of using fullerene thin films as potential encapsulating material in surface reconstructions, we have studied the monolayer room temperature adsorption of C 60 on Si(111)∈3 × √3 R(30°)-Ag surfaces using Auger electron spectroscopy as well as high resolution synchrotron radiation core-level spectroscopy. The thermal stability of the encapsulating layers has also been studied: upon heating, a replacement reaction takes place between silver and C 60 . Silver desorbs completely around 550°C and a strongly bound C 60 monolayer remains on top of the silicon surface.