Investigation of C60 nanocrystallization processes in reprecipitation method when using low compatibility solvents

• Published in: Japanese Journal of Applied Physics Vol. 54; no. 6S1
• Main Authors: Shito, Keiji, Ito, Naoko, Masuhara, Akito
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: The Japan Society of Applied Physics 01.06.2015
• ISSN: 0021-4922; 1347-4065
• DOI: 10.7567/JJAP.54.06FK05

We investigated the nanocrystallization of C60 in a reprecipitation method, which is very important in controlling the nanocrystal size. trans-Decahydronaphthalene and acetonitrile were used as good and poor solvents, respectively. With this combination, we can controlled the nanocrystallization process over a long time and elucidated the effects of compatibility speed between good and poor solvents after the reprecipitation method. 10 µm particles of C60 micro/nanocrystals (C60 M/NCs) with a hollow spherical structure were observed. The surface of the C60 MCs of 10 µm size was composed of C60 nanocrystals of 50-150 nm size coalesced with each other. Therefore, crystallization proceeds from the interface between the solution and the poor solvent. From this result, we showed that the scheme of the crystallization processes is divided into two processes after the reprecipitation method.