Search for the form of fullerene C60 in aqueous medium

• Published in: Physical chemistry chemical physics : PCCP Vol. 12; no. 42; pp. 1495 - 1411
• Main Authors: Pospíšil, Lubomír, Gál, Miroslav, Hromadová, Magdaléna, Bulí ková, Jana, Kolivoška, Viliam, Cva ka, Josef, Nováková, Kate ina, Kavan, Ladislav, Zukalová, Markéta, Dunsch, Lothar
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge Royal Society of Chemistry 14.11.2010
• Subjects: Chemistry; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Exact sciences and technology; Fullerenes and related materials; diamonds, graphite; General and physical chemistry; Materials science; Physics; Specific materials; Water; Atomic force microscopy; Sonication; Correlation; Hydrocarbon; Stabilization; Toluene; Precipitate; Benzoate; Organic solvent; Aqueous medium; Benzene; Fullerenes; Benzenic compound; Redox potential; Aqueous solution; Aqueous dispersion
• ISSN: 1463-9076; 1463-9084
• DOI: 10.1039/c0cp00986e

A transfer of fullerene C 60 to water was achieved by sonication of a two-phase system of water and C 60 in organic solvents, namely, benzene and toluene. Resulting aqueous dispersions were analyzed electrochemically, spectroscopically, by MALDI-MS and AFM methods. Samples prepared from benzene yield the formal redox potential very close to a value expected from the correlation of redox potentials and solvent donor numbers. However, these samples are not stable and C 60 precipitates out of the aqueous dispersion. Sonication of the toluene/water system produces stable system, in which the measured formal redox potential of C 60 is less negative. Stabilization of C 60 clusters in water is achieved by the presence of an organic amphiphile and spectroscopic methods indicate the presence of benzoate formed during sonication of a toluene/water mixture. Stabilization of C 60 clusters in water is achieved by the presence of an organic amphiphile. Experiments indicate the presence of benzoate formed during sonication of a toluene/water mixture.