Molecular-dynamics study of the structure, binding energy, and melting of small clusters of fullerene molecules using Girifalco’s spherical model

Girifalco’s intermolecular potential between two ${\mathrm{C}}_{60}$ molecules has been used, in conjunction with molecular dynamics, to study the stability of small (${\mathrm{C}}_{60}$ ${)}_{\mathit{N}}$ clusters up to N=25. In agreement with experiment, 13-membered clusters were found to be particularly stable. The melting behavior in these clusters differs from that characteristic of inert gas clusters.