Correlation between charge-transfer and rotation of C60 on WO2/W(110)

Understanding molecular switching between different charge states is crucial to further progress in molecule-based nano-electronic devices. Herein we have employed scanning tunnelling microscopy to visualize different charge states of a single C60 molecule within a molecular layer grown on the WO2/W(110) surface. The results obtained demonstrate that individual C60 molecules within the layer switch between neutral and negatively charged states in the temperature range of 220-260 K over the time scale of the experiment. The charging of the C60 causes changes in the local density of electron states and consequently a variation in tunnelling current. Using density functional theory calculations, it was found that the charged state corresponds to the negatively charged C60(-), which has accepted an electron. The switching of the molecule into the charged state is triggered continuously by tunnelling electrons when the STM tip is static above an individual C60 molecule with a bias applied. Molecular movement accompanies the molecule's switching between these states.