Supramolecular self-assembled fullerene nanostructures

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2002 Apr 16;99(8):5075-80. doi: 10.1073/pnas.072006599.

Abstract

Four ionic fullerene derivatives, which are relatively soluble in polar solvents, are shown to organize into morphologically different nanoscale structures. Spheres, nanorods, and nanotubules form in water depending on the side chain appendage of the fullerene spheroid. Images at different nanoscale structures were obtained via transmission electron microscopy. Also, computer simulations were used for investigating the relative spatial arrangements. The efficient method to fabricate almost perfect and uniformly shaped nanotubular crystals, which order spontaneously by self-assembly, opens the way to the possibility of exploiting the fullerene properties at the nanometer scale.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Carbon / chemistry*
  • Computer Simulation
  • Crystallization
  • Dimerization
  • Fullerenes*
  • Ions
  • Kinetics
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Models, Chemical
  • Models, Molecular
  • Nanotechnology
  • Porphyrins / chemistry

Substances

  • Fullerenes
  • Ions
  • Porphyrins
  • Carbon
  • fullerene C60