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Thermally Activated Sliding of C60 on Gold
Matteo Pierno1, Lorenzo Bruschi1, Guido Paolicelli2
1Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia "G. Galilei", Università di Padova, via Marzolo 8, 35131 Padova, Italy.
ACS Omega
|June 30, 2025
Summary
Fullerene molecules slide on gold surfaces at higher temperatures. This study confirms the slippery gold-carbon interface using quartz crystal microbalance, revealing thermally activated sliding behavior.
Area of Science:
- Surface science
- Nanotechnology
- Materials science
Background:
- Gold nanoclusters exhibit facile sliding on graphite.
- Understanding nanoscale friction at interfaces is crucial for developing advanced materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the sliding behavior of fullerene (C60) adsorbates on gold surfaces.
- To confirm the slipperiness of the gold-carbon interface using quartz crystal microbalance (QCM).
Main Methods:
- High-quality gold electrodes on mica substrates were prepared and transferred to a QCM.
- C60 molecules were deposited onto the gold electrode under ultrahigh vacuum.
- Sliding behavior was monitored as a function of temperature.
Main Results:
- Fullerene adsorbates were pinned on the gold surface at room temperature.
- Sliding of C60 molecules initiated above 320 K.
- The observed sliding demonstrated thermally activated characteristics.
Conclusions:
- The gold-carbon interface exhibits slipperiness, consistent with previous observations of gold nanoclusters on graphite.
- The thermally activated sliding of fullerene adsorbates on gold can be modeled using a simple diffusive approach.
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