Arrays of crystalline C60 and pentacene nanocolumns

Abstract

Crystalline nanocolumn arrays of two organic semiconductors, C60 and pentacene, were fabricated by glancing angle deposition and characterized by scanning electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction. The diameter of the nanocolumns is typically 100nm and essentially independent of column height (up to 360nm for pentacene). The surface diffusion length of the molecules is identified as a key parameter for the formation of the nanocolumns. Our results indicate that glancing angle deposition is a simple technique to fabricate organic crystalline nanocolumn arrays, and controlling the surface diffusion via chemical and/or morphological patterning may lead to innovative organic nanostructures.