Thin polymerized C60 coatings deposited in electrostatic field via electron-beam dispersion of fullerite

TL;DR

This study investigates how electrostatic fields influence the charge composition and structure of fullerene C60 coatings deposited via electron-beam dispersion, revealing the formation of polymers and cross-linked networks.

Contribution

It demonstrates the effects of fullerene ions and electrons on coating structure, showing electron assistance creates polymers while ion assistance forms 3D covalent networks.

Findings

Electrons up to 300 eV produce C60 polymers with dumb-bell and peanut shapes.

Positive fullerene ions up to 300 eV form highly cross-linked 3D networks.

Fullerite EBD products contain both positive ions and electrons.

Abstract

The aim of the present study is to clarify the charge composition of fullerite C60 electron-beam dispersion (EBD) products and investigate the influence of fullerene ions and electrons on the structure of the deposited coatings by applying an additional electrostatic field to the substrates. It was found that C60 EBD products contain positive fullerene ions and electrons. By using Raman and attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, laser desorption/ionization mass-spectrometry and atomic force microscopy, it was shown that the assistance of the electrons additionally accelerated up to 300 eV results in the formation of a mixture of dumb-bell- and peanut-shaped C60 polymers. The assistance of the positive fullerene ions additionally accelerated up to 300 eV leads to the formation of highly cross-linked random 3D networks of covalently bonded fullerene molecules.