Covered conduction of individual C(60) nanowhiskers.

We investigate the electronic properties of individual C(60) nanowhiskers by exploiting conductive atomic force microscopy at room temperature in ambient atmosphere. The pristine individual C(60) nanowhiskers exhibit conducting behavior. The outer C(60) oxide covering, confirmed by Auger electron spectroscopy, shelters the conductive properties of the C(60) nanowhiskers. It is proposed that the insulating outer C(60) oxide covering might be used as the dielectric layer in potential single C(60) nanowhisker-based field-effect transistors for nanoelectronics.