Solvated structure of C60 nanowhiskers Original Research Article

This work characterizes the structure of C60 nanowhiskers prepared by the liquid–liquid interfacial precipitation method in the C60-saturated m-xylene and isopropyl alcohol system. Transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction measurement show that the C60 nanowhiskers had a hexagonal structure with cell dimensions a = 2.407 nm and c = 1.018 nm which is different from pristine C60. The structure of the C60 nanowhiskers in solution is different from that of the solvated structure reported for the C60 nanotubes but similar to that reported for the C60 bulk crystal solvated with m-xylene. X-ray diffraction analysis also showed a shift to fcc structure after solvent evaporation. The C60 nanowhiskers prepared using toluene as solvent also showed a similar solvated structure, and a more rapid structural change into fcc upon drying was again observed.