Adsorption characteristics of Er(3)N@C(80)on W(110) and Au(111) studied via scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy

We performed a study on the fundamental adsorption characteristics of Er(3)N@C(80) deposited on W(110) and Au(111) via room temperature scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy. Adsorbed on W(110), a comparatively strong bond to the endohedral fullerenes inhibited the formation of ordered monolayer islands. In contrast, the Au(111)-surface provides a sufficiently high mobility for the molecules to arrange in monolayer islands after annealing. Interestingly, the fullerenes modify the herringbone reconstruction indicating that the molecule–substrate interaction is of considerable extent. Investigations concerning the electronic structure of Er(3)N@C(80)/Au(111) reveals spatial variations dependent on the termination of the Au(111) at the interface.