Thermodynamics of intercalation in C60 fullerite and stability of cubic close-packed fulleride compounds

Stability of known or hypothetical fullerene C60 intercalation compounds was investigated through a donor-acceptor scheme. A thermodynamic cycle was employed, requiring evaluation of energy costs related with charge transfer and formation of the intercalated solid. Strongly exothermic reactions are predicted in several cases, especially with some elements of the rare-earth series, which should consequently form stable, low dimensional phases. These latter might be interesting candidates for superconductivity, as alkali-doped C60.