The silver Sputnik. Evaluation of the exohedral dynamic in [C60M]+ (M = Cu, Ag, Au)

Abstract

Exohedral metal fullerenes comprising coinage metals placed over the C₆₀ surface reveal distinct dynamic behaviors involving localized domains for [C₆₀Au]⁺ to largely delocalized surface-mobile exohedral copper and silver atoms. These dynamic behaviors suggest potential applications in adaptive materials serving as effective mobilizers, highlighting [C₆₀Ag]⁺ as the first realization of a molecular Sputnik analog.