A selective synthesis of the fullerene-fused dioxane adduct via heterogeneous reaction of C60 with α-diols and NaOH under ultrasonication

Green and rapid preparation of long-term stable aqueous dispersions of fullerenes and endohedral fullerenes: The pros and cons of an ultrasonic probe

A green, scalable, and sustainable approach to prepare aqueous fullerene dispersions (AFD) C60, C70, endohedral metallofullerene Gd@C82, and their derivatives C60Cl6, C70Cl10, and supramolecular and ester-like derivatives, 10 fullerene species total, is proposed. For the first time, an immersed ultrasonic probe was used to preparing dispersions for pristine fullerenes without addends. Both ultrasound-assisted solvent-exchange and direct sonication techniques for AFD preparation using an immersed probe were tested. The average time for AFD preparation decreases 10-15 times compared to an ultrasound-bath-assisted technique, while final fullerene concentrations in AFDs remained at tens of ppm (up to 80 ppm). The aqueous dispersions showed long-term stability, a negatively charged surface with a zeta potential up to -32 mV with an average nanocluster diameter of no more than 180 nm. The total anionic and cationic compositions of samples were found by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy and chromatographic techniques. The highlights and challenges of using an ultrasound probe for AFD production are discussed.

Sonochemical synthesis of novel C60 fullerene 1,4-oxathiane derivative through the intermediate fullerene radical anion

We have discovered a selective and efficient method for the synthesis of previously unknown 1,9-(1',4'-oxathiano)-1,9-dihydro-(C₆₀-I_h)[5,6]fullerene, a compound with the direct attachment of the sulfur atom to the fullerene core. The method is based on the reaction of C₆₀ with 1,2-hydroxythiols in the presence of inorganic bases in air under ultrasonication. The significance of ultrasound has been exemplified with the comparative conventional methods. The title compound has been identified with mass-(MALDI TOF/TOF), one- and two-dimensional NMR ¹H and ¹³C (COSY, HSQC, HMBS), IR, UV-Vis spectroscopic techniques. Using the direct EPR method, we have detected radical anion C₆₀^- (g = 2.0046 and ΔH = 2 G) as a key reaction intermediate of the sonochemical reaction. Based on the experimental results and quantum chemical calculations, we have proposed a mechanism for the conversion of C₆₀ and 2-mercaptoethanol to the C₆₀-1,4-oxathiane adduct.

Ciprofloxacin removal using magnetic fullerene nanocomposite obtained from sustainable PET bottle wastes: Adsorption process optimization, kinetics, isotherm, regeneration and recycling studies

Numerous of pollutants threaten our planet, for instance plastic wastes causes a huge potential risk on the environment in addition to many of emergened pollutants as pharmaceutical residue in aquatic environments which affecting ecological balance and in-turn affecting human health. Accordingly, this research proposed an innovative facile, one-step synthesis of functionalized magnetic fullerene nanocomposite (FMFN) via catalytic thermal decomposition of sustainable poly (ethylene terephthalate) bottle wastes as feedstock and ferrocene as a catalyst and precursor of magnetite. Growth mechanism of FMFN was discussed and batch experiments were achieved to examine its adsorption efficiency in relation to Ciprofloxacin antibiotic. Different adsorption parameters including time, initial Ciprofloxacin concentration, and solution temperature were investigated and optimized using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) model. In addition, a study on the antibiotic adsorption process impact on the organisms of an ecosystem was conducted using E. coli DH5α, and results validated method's efficiency in overcoming problem of appearance of antibiotic-resistant microbes.