Unique Crystallization of Fullerenes: Fullerene Flowers

作者:Kim Jungah; Park Chibeom; Song Intek; Lee Minkyung; Kim Hyungki; Choi Hee Cheul*
来源:Scientific Reports, 2016, 6(1): 32205.
DOI:10.1038/srep32205

摘要

Solution-phase crystallization of fullerene molecules strongly depends on the types of solvent and their ratios because solvent molecules are easily included in the crystal lattice and distort its structure. The C-70 (solute)-mesitylene (solvent) system yields crystals with various morphologies and structures, such as cubes, tubes, and imperfect rods. Herein, using C-60 and C-70 dissolved in mesitylene, we present a novel way to grow unique flower-shaped crystals with six symmetric petals. The different solubility of C-60 and C-70 in mesitylene promotes nucleation of C-70 with sixfold symmetry in the early stage, which is followed by co-crystallization of both C-60 and C-70 molecules, leading to lateral petal growth. Based on the growth mechanism, we obtained more complex fullerene crystals, such as multi-deck flowers and tube-flower complexes, by changing the sequence and parameters of crystallization.

  • 出版日期2016-8-26