Large-Area Transfer of Nanometer-Thin C60 Films

Fullerenes, with well-defined molecular structures and high scalability, hold promise as fundamental building blocks for creating a variety of carbon materials. The fabrication and transfer of large-area films with precisely controlled thicknesses and morphologies on desired surfaces are crucial for designing and developing fullerene-based materials and devices. In this work, we present strategies for solid-state transferring C₆₀ molecular nanometer-thin films, with dimensions of centimeters in lateral size and thicknesses controlled in the range of 1–20 nm, onto various substrates. Furthermore, we have successfully fabricated centimeter-wide graphene/C₆₀/graphene heterostructures through layer-by-layer stacking of C₆₀ and graphene films. This transfer methodology is versatile, allowing for the complete transfer of chemically modified C₆₀ films, including oxygenated C₆₀ films and C₆₀Pd_n organometallic polymer films. Additionally, direct solid-state transfer of C₆₀ and C₆₀Pd_n films onto electrode surfaces has enabled their electrocatalytic performance for the hydrogen evolution reaction to be probed directly. This thin-film transfer strategy allows precise manipulation of large-area, ultrathin C₆₀ films on various substrates, providing a platform for fullerene chemistry and the experimental synthesis of artificial carbon structures.