Quasi 3D polymerization in C60 bilayers in a fullerene solvate

• The polymerization of fullerenes has been an interesting topic for almost three decades. A rich polymeric phase diagram of C60 has been drawn under a variety of pressure-temperature conditions. However, only linear or perpendicular linkages of C60 are found in the ordered phases. Here we used a unique bilayer structural solvate, C60∙1,1,2-trichloroethane (C60∙1TCAN), to generate a novel quasi-3D C60 polymer under high pressure and/or high temperature. Using Raman, IR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction, we observe that the solvent molecules play a crucial role in confining the [2+2] cycloaddition bonds of C60s forming in the upper and lower layers alternately. The relatively long distance between the two bilayers restricts the covalent linkage extended in a single individual bilayer. Our studies not only enrich the phase diagram of polymeric C60, but also facilitate targeted design and synthesis of unique C60 polymers.

Subject headings

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Fysik -- Den kondenserade materiens fysik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Physical Sciences -- Condensed Matter Physics (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Fullerenes

C60

high pressure

high temperature

polymerization

3D polymer

intermolecular bonds

Raman scattering

Raman spectroscopy

infra-red spectroscopy

IR spectroscopy

X-ray diffraction

fysik

Physics

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)