Investigating the electronic properties of carbon nanostructures with scanning tunneling microscopy

Abstract

Utilizing the scanning tunneling microscope, the electronic and structural properties of a variety of carbon based nanostructures, are explored. Among these, threefold electron scattering on graphite generated by vacancies and adsorbates is imaged using C60-functionalized STM tips. By comparing a simple theoretical model to the experimental results, it is possible to identify the exact location of the defect in the graphite lattice. It is also possible to qualitatively identify the bonding strength of various adsorbates. In addition to graphite, monolayers of disulfide derivatized fullerenes are probed with the STM. The self-assembling and electronic properties of these molecules are investigated. Lastly, comparisons are drawn from these experiments to similar investigations of functionalized carbon nanotubes.