Supramolecular assembly of individual C₆₀ molecules on a monolayer of 4, 4′-dimethylbianthronemolecules

We use a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) to reposition individual C60 molecules adsorbed on a wellordered monolayer of 4, 4′-dimethylbianthrone (DMB), first grown on Cu(111). The surface binding energies and diffusion barriers of C60 molecules are substantially modified when the molecules bond to DMB instead of to Cu. The tip of the STM can be used to reposition single, isolated C60 molecules across the surface without disrupting the DMB film underneath. © 1998 Springer-Verlag.