The structure of C60 and endohedral C60 on the Si{1 0 0} surface

The possible structures of C60 on the Si{1 0 0} surface in the four dimer position over the dimer trench have been investigated using ab initio total energy minimisations. Four possible structures have been found. The fullerenes bond to the silicon surface by breaking carbon–carbon double bonds. One electron from the broken bond is contributed to the carbon–silicon bond. The second electron is involved in forming a new π-bond within the fullerene cage. The carbon–silicon bond is primarily covalent with some charge transfer. Some discussion of endohedral fullerenes is also given.