Abstract
Codeposition of and the three-dimensional molecular hydrocarbon 1,3,5,7-tetraphenyladamantane (TPA) on Au(111) leads to the spontaneous formation of molecular nanostructures in which each fullerene is locked into a specific orientation by three surrounding TPA. Scanning tunneling spectroscopy shows that the electronic coupling of with the surface is significantly reduced in these nanostructures, enhancing the free-molecule properties. As evidenced by density functional theory simulations, the nanostructures are stabilized by 18 local electrostatic forces between and TPA, resulting in a lifting of the cage from the surface.
- Received 3 August 2007
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.100.036807
©2008 American Physical Society