INTERCALATION OF INORGANIC FULLERENE-LIKE STRUCTURES YIELDS PHOTOSENSITIVE FILMS AND NEW TIPS FOR SCANNING PROBE MICROSCOPY

Evaporation of metals, like W, Mo, V, and In, in the presence of water vapor and subsequent sulfidization has yielded bulk quantities of nes ted fullerenes, nanotubes, and structures with negative curvature (ino rganic fullerene-like-IF). Dissolving alkali-metal salts into the wate r source afforded alkali-metal intercalation and staging (n = 6) of th e IF structures after sulfidization. The intercalated moieties were fo und to be stable in air and even in water. The intercalated IF structu res could be dispersed in alcoholic suspensions, and electrophoretic d eposition from the suspensions yielded thin films of the IF particles. The films of intercalated IF showed respectable and time-invariant ph otoeffects. Furthermore, low adhesion and robust tips for scanning pro be microscopy were prepared by depositing intercalated IF film on Si t ips. Other applications, which are currently investigated, are briefly mentioned.