Structure and properties of fullerene nanowhiskers prepared by the liquid-liquid interfacial precipitation method

摘要

Fine needle-like crystals of C_(60), "C_(60) nanowhiskers", were found in 2001 in a colloidal solution of PZT ceramics with added C_(60). Not only the C_(60) nanowhiskers but also nanowhiskers composed of C_(70) and C_(60) derivatives can be synthesized at room temperature by using the liquid-liquid interfacial precipitation method (LLIP method). Tubular nanowhiskers composed of C_(60) and C_(70) molecules have been successfully fabricated by using the LLIP method as well. The tubular fullerene nanowhiskers are named "fullerene nanotubes" here. The tubular fullerene nanowhisker is a new form of single crystalline needle-like crystal whose wall is composed of fullerene molecules. In this paper, structural, electrical and mechanical properties of the fullerene nanowhiskers and fullerene nanotubes are discussed.