Polymeric chains in C60 and Co mixture

We present transmission electron beam identification of C60-based polymeric chains in the mixture between Co and C60 simultaneously deposited on (0 0 1) NaCl at room temperature. Estimation of intrachain distances taken from the direct image suggests bridging position of Co atoms between buckyballs. The chains tend to be coupled due to Coulomb interaction between the charged units of the polymers. We have confirmed the charge transfer between Co and C60 detecting 0.6 eV upward shift of C60 LUMO-derived peak in the electron-energy-loss spectrum of mixture. The systematic shifts of energy-loss σ∗ peaks imply distortion of C60 cages belonging to the polymeric chains.