ABSTRACT
Stable aqueous fullerene colloidal suspensions (nC(60)) are demonstrated to rely on the [6,6]-closed epoxide derivative of the fullerene (C(60)O) for stability. This derivative is present, though often unrecognized, in small quantities in nearly all C(60) starting materials due to a reaction with air. The low-yield formation of nC(60) from organic solvent solutions results from a preferential partitioning and thus enrichment of C(60)O in the colloidal particles. This partitioning is significantly retarded in the nC(60) synthesis method that does not involve organic solvent solutions: long-term stirring in water. Instead, this method relies on trace levels of ozone in the ambient atmosphere to produce sufficient C(60)O at the surfaces of the nC(60) particles to allow stable suspension in water. Controlled-atmosphere syntheses, deliberate C(60)O enrichment, light scattering measurements, and extraction followed by HPLC analysis and UV-visible absorption spectroscopy support the above model of nC(60) formation and stabilization.
Subject(s)
Fullerenes/chemistry , Suspensions/chemistry , Water/chemistry , Air , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid , Colloids , Kinetics , Light , Ozone/chemistry , Particle Size , Scattering, Radiation , Sonication , Spectrum Analysis , Toluene/chemistry , UltrasonicsABSTRACT
An existing solvent exchange method used to produce aqueous suspensions of fullerene C(60) aggregates (nC(60)) using the solvents toluene, tetrahydrofuran, acetone, and water, has been optimized for producing 75 nm diameter particles. Numerous synthesis parameters were evaluated for their effects on colloid yield and particle size distribution. Varying the relative volumes used of the intermediate solvents relative to the initial toluene volume allowed the controlled tuning of the resulting particle size up to a diameter of 210 nm. The resulting suspensions produced 10-20 ppm concentrations and reduced the residual organic solvents to less than the detection limit of 1 ppm.
