We present transmission electron beam identification of C-60-based polymeric chains in the mixture between Co and C-60 simultaneously deposited on (001) NaCl at room temperature. Estimation of intrachain distances taken from the direct image suggests bridging position of Co atoms between buckyballs. The chains tend to be coupled due to Coulomb interaction between the charged units of the polymers. We have confirmed the charge transfer between Co and C-60 detecting 0.6 eV upward shift of C-60 LUMO-derived peak in the electron-energy-loss spectrum of mixture. The systematic shifts of energy-loss sigma* peaks imply distortion of C-60 cages belonging to the polymeric chains. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.