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 nested fullerenes, nanotubes, and structures with negative curvature (inorganic fullerene-like-IF). Dissolving alkali-metal salts into the water source afforded alkali-metal intercalation and staging (n = 6) of the IF structures after sulfidization. The intercalated moieties were found to be stable in air and even in water. The intercalated IF structures could be dispersed in alcoholic suspensions, and electrophoretic deposition from the suspensions yielded thin films of the IF particles. The films of intercalated IF showed respectable and time-invariant photoeffects. Furthermore, low adhesion and robust tips for scanning probe microscopy were prepared by depositing intercalated IF film on Si tips. Other applications, which are currently investigated, are briefly mentioned.