Two Alternative Ways for Formation of Mono‐atomic Carbon Layer on Ni(1 1 1): Organic‐Gas Cracking and Thermal Decomposition of Fullerenes in Thin Film

Abstract Formation of graphite mono‐atomic layers (monolayer of graphite, MG) on Ni(1 1 1) single‐crystal surface by cracking of propylene C3H6 as well as by decomposition of fullerene molecules C60 was investigated. Comparative analysis of carbon films was made in both cases by means of auger electron spectroscopy (AES), low energy electron diffraction (LEED), and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) techniques. It was shown with the LEED measurements, that quality of graphite mono‐atomic layer obtained in the two different ways is similar and high enough. For the system prepared by fullerene fragmentation some fullerene‐similar topography features were found in STM images. These observations are explained as a result of arrangement of single C60 molecules underneath the MG on Ni(1 1 1).