C60 self-organization at the interface between a liquid C60 solution and a Au(1 1 1) surface

The interface between a solution of C60 molecules in tetradecane and a Au(1 1 1) surface has been studied by in situ scanning tunneling microscopy. For a diluted solution, C60 islands with very mobile boundaries separated by disordered areas are found. While some two-dimension disordered C60 clusters are observed, the large majority of islands presents a periodic hexagonal packing of C60 molecules. This packing corresponds to either a 2√3×2√3 R30 arrangement with respect to Au(1 1 1) lattice or an in-phase overlayer. These structures agree well with the results obtained on ultra high vacuum-deposited C60 overlayers on the same substrate [Surf. Sci. 279 (1992) 49].