Hierarchical aqueous self-assembly of C60 nano-whiskers and C60–silver nano-hybrids under continuous flow

Abstract

The ubiquitous starch–iodine complex can be used to organize hydrophobic fullerene C₆₀ in water into nano-whiskers shrouded by the biopolymer, and are approximately 5–8 nm in cross section, and 250–350 nm in length, as a hierarchical self assembly process. The preformed starch–iodine complex reacts with solid pristine C₆₀ affording nano-whiskers with iodine surrounding the fullerene array, the iodine then being removed on treatment with ascorbic acid. The hydrophobic surface of the nano-whiskers of C₆₀ can be coated with silver metal in a controlled way using ‘soft energy’ spinning disc processing.