Conventional sublimable solid solvents such as naphthalene, ferrocene and camphor finely dissolve [60]fullerene (C60) in the solution state. After cooling to room temperature and removal of the solid solvents from the composites, C60 forms fibrous superstructures that are characterized by scanning electron microscopy. X-Ray powder diffraction study and ATR/IR analysis show that the C60 superstructures preserve the fcc lattice as in pristine C60. NMR together with elemental analysis reveals the presence of significantly less solvent in the superstructures. We have attempted to immobilize or polymerize the superstructures by a γ-ray irradiation technique that eventually leads to the formation of a rod-like fullerene polymer. HR-TEM and photoluminescence studies support the formation of the superstructures and the subsequent γ-ray induced polymerization of C60, which will provide new avenues for the realistic application of these with unprecedented materials properties.
Journal of Materials Chemistry
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