Synthesis of C60 Fullerene Nanotubes by the Liquid-Liquid Interfacial Precipitation Method

Abstract

High yield (100%) of C60 fullerene nanotubes have been successfully produced by the liquid-liquid interfacial precipitation method in a small-scale experimental set-up. These nanotubes were. grown in the irradiated C60-saturated pyridine and isopropyl alcohol (IPA) system combined at different ratios (1:10, 1:9, 1:8, 1:6 C60-pyridine:IPA) and incubated at varying temperatures (15°C, 10°C, 5°C). Solutions irradiated under visible light (436 nm) produces higher yield of production and higher reproducibility compared with that illuminated with ultraviolet light (302 nm). The volume of nanotubes grown also increases with increasing ratio of C60-pyridine:IPA and decreasing temperature of incubation. Scanning electron microscopic observations show thinner nanotubes prepared with lower amount of IPA. At present, the process of scaling up the procedure to obtain gram quantities of nanotubes is under investigation. Such work will prove beneficial in obtaining more information on its physical and mechanical properties.