Affinity of C60 Fullerenes with Water

• Published in: Fullerenes, nanotubes, and carbon nanostructures Vol. 14; no. 2-3; pp. 307 - 314
• Main Authors: Labille, J., Brant, J., Villiéras, F., Pelletier, M., Thill, A., Masion, A., Wiesner, M., Rose, J., Bottero, J.-Y.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group 01-12-2006
• Subjects: bioavailability; coagulation; colloidal suspension; dispersion; environmental impact; hydration; water adsorption isotherm
• ISSN: 1536-383X; 1536-4046
• DOI: 10.1080/15363830600665250

In this work, we have studied the affinity of pure C
60
fullerenes with water. Although C
60
have always been known as hydrophobic particles, we show that this characteristic does not remain when contact between C
60
and H
2
O is forced by mechanical stirring. Light scattering measurements and transmission electron microscopy observations revealed the presence of C
60
aggregates remaining stable in water after stirring, with a large nanometric size range. Water adsorption/desorption isotherms, confirmed the hydrophilic character of these nano-clusters, resulting form hydration of the initial hydrophobic C
60
.