Occurrence of natural fullerene C60 from the iridium-rich Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) boundary layers of the Um-Sohryngkew river section, Meghalaya, India

Abstract

The presence of fullerene C60 in the iridium-rich Cretaceous-Palaeogene (K-Pg) boundary layer from the Um-Sohryngkew river section of Meghalaya is reported here for the first time. Different analytical methods, including transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), and X-ray diffraction(XRD) techniques, have been used to characterize the presence of toluene-insoluble high-pressure phase of fullerene C60 in the acid resistant carbonaceous matter extracted from the Um-Sohryngkew river section, Meghalaya, India. Strong absorption peaks at wavenumbers 1427, 1181, 574, and 525 cm−1, which are indicative of pristine fullerene C60, can be seen in the FTIR spectroscopic study. The Raman spectrum also independently confirms the presence of fullerene, by exhibiting the characteristics peaks of pristine fullerene C60. The XRD technique provides further, independent validation of fullerenes, and the XRD pattern demonstrates fullerene presence. Fullerenes, high-pressure fullerene, the amorphous phase of C60, and iridium all coexist and offer conclusive proof of impact at the Cretaceous-Palaeogene (K-Pg) boundary extinction event.