An STM Study of the Interaction of hexabenzocorone on a Ru(0001) Surface

The interaction of hexabenzocorone (hbc) with Ruthenium surface has been investigated using Scanning Tunneling Microscopy in ultrahigh vacuum. The images obtained at 77K and 4.5K, after hbc molecules were vacuum deposited at 325$^{o}$C onto a pristine Ru(0001) surface, exhibit surface bound molecules with off-centered bonding sites. After annealing the hbc-Ru complex at 600$^{o}$C for 15min, hbc molecules appear to be dehydrogenated to form the bowl-shaped C$_{48}$. The nature of the interaction and the dehydrogenation of the hbc on Ru(0001) surface will be discussed with DFT calculation, the supplemental IR absorption, and Temperature Programmed Desorption studies. The possibility of growing carbon nanotubes on C$_{48}$ end-cap upon dosing with C$_{2}$H$_{2}$ will also be discussed.