Structural and electrical properties of an electron-beam-irradiated C60 film

Abstract

The structural and electrical properties of an electron-beam (EB)-irradiated C60 film have been examined at room temperature, using in situ infrared (IR) spectroscopy and ex situ four-probe measurements. IR results show that the irradiated film is neither graphite nor carbon nanotube-like but a peanut-shaped C60 polymer. Current–voltage curve shows that the polymer exhibits a metallic property with a drastically reduced resistivity of 7 Ω cm in comparison with 108–1014 Ω cm for solid C60. This indicates the possibility of applying C60 molecules in EB nanofabrication processes and large potential for developing carbon-based nanodevices.

Low-Energy Irradiation Damage in Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

“…Graphite, in which the damage does not occur, is a three-dimensional material, and a SWCNT, in which the damage occurs, is a onedimensional material. Notably, it has been well established that structural changes occur in zero-dimensional fullerenes by photon and electron irradiation (Zhao et al, 1994. Onoe et al, 2003.…”

Low-energy electron irradiation of preheated and gas-exposed single-wall carbon nanotubes

“…We note that crosslinking has been reported in C60 films irradiated with electrons at energies comparable to those used in our experiments. Adjacent C60 molecules in such films have been observed to form cross-linked peanut-shaped structures as a result of irradiation at 3 keV [34]. Post-annealing at 200•C for 2 h reverts the peanut-shaped structures back to C60 [35].…”

A Conversation with Dr. Masakazu Aono: Leader in Atomic-Scale Control and Nanomanipulation

“…By using the multiprobe STMs, we have measured the electrical conductivity of nanostructures such as carbon nanotubes, fullerene films, and metal nanowires. 17 So far, a brain-type computer is made by software, or combinations of existing devices, such as transistors. I'd like to make a new brain-type circuit using novel materials in which the material itself changes with time depending on signals from the outside.…”