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

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.