Photo-assisted growth and polymerization of C60 ‘nano’whiskers

Self-Assembled Corn-Husk-Shaped Fullerene Crystals as Excellent Acid Vapor Sensors

Low-molecular-weight acid vapors cause aging and destruction in material processing. In this paper, facile fabrication of novel corn-husk-shaped fullerene C60 crystals (CHFCs) through the dynamic liquid–liquid interfacial precipitation method is reported. The CHFCs were grown at the liquid–liquid interface between isopropyl alcohol (IPA) and a saturated solution of C60 in mesitylene under ambient temperature and pressure conditions. The average length, outer diameter, and inner diameter of CHFCs were ca. 2.88 μm, 672 nm, and 473 nm, respectively. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed the CHFCs exhibit a mixed face-centered cubic (fcc) and hexagonal-close pack (hcp) crystal phases with lattice parameters a = 1.425 nm, V = 2.899 nm3 for fcc phase and a = 2.182 nm, c = 0.936 nm, a/c ratio = 2.33, and V = 3.859 nm3 for hcp phase. The CHFCs possess mesoporous structure as confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and nitrogen sorption analysis. The specific surface area and the pore volume were ca. 57.3 m2 g−1 and 0.149 cm3 g−1, respectively, are higher than the nonporous pristine fullerene C60. Quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) sensing results show the excellent sensing performance CHFCs sensitive to acetic acid vapors due to the enhanced diffusion via mesoporous architecture and hollow structure of the CHFCs, demonstrating the potential of the material for the development of a new sensor system for aliphatic acid vapors sensing.

A solid–liquid two-phase precipitation method for the growth of fullerene (C60) nanowires

A schematic diagram of the preparation of C60 nanowires by the solid–liquid two-phase precipitation method.

Self-Assembled Fullerene Crystals as Excellent Aromatic Vapor Sensors

Here we report the aromatic vapor sensing performance of bitter melon shaped nanoporous fullerene C₆₀ crystals that are self-assembled at a liquid-liquid interface between isopropyl alcohol and C₆₀ solution in dodecylbenzene at 25 °C. Average length and center diameter of the crystals were ca. 10 μm and ~2 μm, respectively. Powder X-ray diffraction pattern (pXRD) confirmed a face-centered cubic (fcc) structure with cell dimension ca. a = 1.4272 nm, and V = 2.907 nm³, which is similar to that of the pristine fullerene C₆₀. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirmed the presence of a nanoporous structure. Quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) results showed that the bitter melon shaped nanoporous C₆₀ performs as an excellent sensing system, particularly for aromatic vapors, due to their easy diffusion through the porous architecture and strong π–π interactions with the sp²-carbon.

Redispersion and Self-Assembly of C60 Fullerene in Water and Toluene

This work aims at assessing the influence of two different solvents, bidistilled water and toluene, on dispersions of carbon-based engineered nanomaterials, namely, fullerenes, and their self-assembly behavior. The obtained self-assembled carbon-based materials were characterized using UV-vis spectrophotometry and transmission electron microscopy techniques. The results obtained were unexpected when toluene was used for dispersing fullerene C₆₀, with the formation of two different types of self-assembled structures: fullerene C₆₀ nanowhiskers (FNWs) and a type of quasispherical nanostructure. The FNWs ranged between 1 and 6 μm in length, whereas the quasispherical fullerene C₆₀ nanoaggregates ranged between 10 and 50 nm in diameter. Aggregates obtained in toluene showed a well-formed crystal structure. When using water, the obtained aggregates were amorphous and showed a no well-defined shape. Their sizes ranged between 20 and 40 nm for nanosized structures and between 0.4 and 4.8 μm for micron-sized self-aggregates.

Selective growth of fullerene octahedra and flower-like particles by a liquid–liquid interfacial precipitation method for super-hydrophobic applications

Super-hydrophobic fullerene octahedron and flower-like microcrystals with a high water contact angle of 158.8° were prepared using anisole and IPA in a liquid–liquid interfacial precipitation method.

Synthesis of fullerene nanowhiskers using the liquid-liquid interfacial precipitation method and their mechanical, electrical and superconducting properties

Fullerene nanowhiskers (FNWs) are thin crystalline fibers composed of fullerene molecules, including C60, C70, endohedral, or functionalized fullerenes. FNWs display n-type semiconducting behavior and are used in a diverse range of applications, including field-effect transistors, solar cells, chemical sensors, and photocatalysts. Alkali metal-doped C60 (fullerene) nanowhiskers (C60NWs) exhibit superconducting behavior. Potassium-doped C60NWs have realized the highest superconducting volume fraction of the alkali metal-doped C60 crystals and display a high critical current density (Jc) under a high magnetic field of 50 kOe. The growth control of FNWs is important for their success in practical applications. This paper reviews recent FNWs research focusing on their mechanical, electrical and superconducting properties and growth mechanisms in the liquid-liquid interfacial precipitation method.

Demonstration of ultrarapid interfacial formation of 1D fullerene nanorods with photovoltaic properties

We demonstrate ultrarapid interfacial formation of one-dimensional (1D) single-crystalline fullerene C60 nanorods at room temperature in 5 s. The nanorods of ∼ 11 μm in length and ∼ 215 nm in diameter are developed in a hexagonal close-pack crystal structure, contrary to the cubic crystal structure of pristine C60. Vibrational and electronic spectroscopy provide strong evidence that the nanorods are a van der Waals solid, as evidenced from the preservation of the electronic structure of the C60 molecules within the rods. Steady state optical spectroscopy reveals a dominance of charge transfer excitonic transitions in the nanorods. A significant enhancement of photogenerated charge carriers is observed in the nanorods in comparison to pristine C60, revealing the effect of shape on the photovoltaic properties. Due to their ultrarapid, large-scale, room-temperature synthesis with single-crystalline structure and excellent optoelectronic properties, the nanorods are expected to be promising for photosensitive devices applications.

Surfactant-assisted assembly of fullerene (C60) nanorods and nanotubes formed at a liquid-liquid interface

Herein we report the surfactant-triggered assembly of fullerene (C60) into 3D flowerlike microcrystals at the liquid-liquid interface. C60 crystals were grown using a liquid-liquid interfacial precipitation (LLIP) method by layering surfactant solution in butanol with a saturated solution of C60 in benzene. In the LLIP method, it is suggested that the crystal formation mechanism is driven by supersaturation related to the low C60 solubility in alcohol. We found that the dimensions of the synthesized C60 flowers depend on the concentration and surfactant type. In the absence of surfactant (i.e., in the butanol/benzene system), 1D C60 nanowhiskers (nanorods) and C60 nanotubes (diameter 400 nm-2 μm and length 5-20 μm) are obtained. However, when surfactants are incorporated into the system flowerlike microcrystals consisting of C60 nanotubes are observed. For instance, crystals grown at the interface of a 0.01% diglycerol monolaurate (C12G2) nonionic surfactant in butanol with benzene lead to the formation of flower-shaped microcrystals of average sizes in the range of 10-35 μm. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example of the surfactant-assisted assembly of C60 crystals. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurements have shown that fullerene flowers have a hexagonal structure with cell dimensions of a = 2.539 nm and c = 1.021 nm, which differ from that of pristine C60. Mixtures of flower-shaped C60 crystals and free-standing C60 nanotubes are found in the 0.1% C12G2/butanol system. However, clusters or giant aggregates of nanowhiskers lacking any specific shape are observed in the 1% C12G2/butanol system although these crystals exhibit hexagonal close-packed structures. Flower-shaped C60 microcrystals are also observed with anionic surfactants cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC). C60 flowers obtained from 0.01% CTAB and 0.01% CTAC also exhibit hexagonal structures with cell dimensions of a = 2.329 nm and c = 1.273 nm, a = 2.459 nm and c = 0.938 nm, respectively. Our C60 flowers exhibit intense photoluminescence (PL) and a blue-shifted PL intensity maximum compared to the same parameters for pristine C60, demonstrating the potential to control the optoelectronic properties of fullerene-based nanostructures.

Fullerene nanoarchitectonics: from zero to higher dimensions

The strategic design of nanostructured materials, the properties of which could be controlled across different length scales and which, at the same time, could be used as building blocks for the construction of devices and functional systems into new technological platforms that are based on sustainable processes, is an important issue in bottom-up nanotechnology.Such strategic design has enabled the fabrication of materials by using convergent bottom-up and top-down strategies. Recent developments in the assembly of functional fullerene (C60) molecules, either in bulk or at interfaces, have allowed the production of shape-controlled nano-to-microsized objects that possess excellent optoelectronic properties, thus enabling the fabrication of optoelectronic devices. Because fullerene molecules can be regarded as an ideal zero-dimensional (0D) building units with attractive functions, the construction of higher-dimensional objects, that is, 1D, 2D, and 3D nanomaterials may realize important aspects of nanoarchitectonics. This Focus Review summarizes the recent developments in the production of nanostructured fullerenes and techniques for the elaboration of fullerene nanomaterials into hierarchic structures.

Water assisted growth of C₆₀ rods and tubes by liquid-liquid interfacial precipitation method

C₆₀ nanorods with hexagonal cross sections are grown using a static liquid-liquid interfacial precipitation method in a system of C₆₀/m-dichlorobenzene solution and ethanol. Adding water to the ethanol phase leads instead to C₆₀ tubes where both length and diameter of the C₆₀ tubes can be controlled by the water content in the ethanol. Based on our observations we find that the diameter of the rods/tubes strongly depends on the nucleation step. We propose a liquid-liquid interface growth model of C₆₀ rods and tubes based on the diffusion rate of the good C₆₀ containing solvent into the poor solvent as well as on the size of the crystal seeds formed at the interface between the two solvents. The grown rods and tubes exhibit a hexagonal solvate crystal structure with m-dichlorobenzene solvent molecules incorporated into the crystal structure, independent of the water content. An annealing step at 200 °C at a pressure < 1 kPa transforms the grown structures into a solvent-free face centered cubic structure. Both the hexagonal and the face centered cubic structures are very stable and neither morphology nor structure shows any signs of degradation after three months of storage.

Synthesis and characterization of fullerene nanowhiskers by liquid-liquid interfacial precipitation: influence of C60 solubility

Fullerene nanowhiskers (FNWs) composed of C(60) fullerene molecules were prepared using the liquid-liquid interfacial precipitation (LLIP) method in the carbon-disulfide (CS(2)) and isopropyl alcohol (IPA) system. The electron microscopic images reveal the formation of non-tubular FNWs. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern studies indicate the presence of fcc crystalline structure and unusual triclinic structure in the FNWs. The selected area electron diffraction pattern (SAED) analysis demonstrates the existence of triclinic and electron beam assisted fcc to tetragonal crystalline phase transformation. The formation of triclinic structure might be validated due to the partial polymerization of FNWs at C(60) saturated CS(2)-IPA interface. The high solubility of C(60) in CS(2) solvent system results in partial polymerization of FNWs. The polymerization of fullerene molecules in the FNWs has been further confirmed using Raman spectroscopy.

Raman Laser Polymerization ofC60Nanowhiskers

Photopolymerization ofC60nanowhiskers (C60NWs) was investigated by using a Raman spectrometer in air at room temperature, since the polymerizedC60NWs are expected to exhibit a high mechanical strength and a thermal stability. ShortC60NWs with a mean length of 4.4 μm were synthesized by LLIP method (liquid-liquid interfacial precipitation method). TheAg(2) peak ofC60NWs shifted to the lower wavenumbers with increasing the laser beam energy dose, and an energy dose more than about 1520 J/mm2was found necessary to obtain the photopolymerizedC60NWs. However, excessive energy doses at high-power densities increased the sample temperature and lead to the thermal decomposition of polymerizedC60molecules.

Challenges and breakthroughs in recent research on self-assembly

The controlled fabrication of nanometer-scale objects is without doubt one of the central issues in current science and technology. However, existing fabrication techniques suffer from several disadvantages including size-restrictions and a general paucity of applicable materials. Because of this, the development of alternative approaches based on supramolecular self-assembly processes is anticipated as a breakthrough methodology. This review article aims to comprehensively summarize the salient aspects of self-assembly through the introduction of the recent challenges and breakthroughs in three categories: (i) types of self-assembly in bulk media; (ii) types of components for self-assembly in bulk media; and (iii) self-assembly at interfaces.