Solvation-Assisted Young’s Modulus Control of Single-Crystal Fullerene Nanowhiskers

Tokushi Kizuka,Takayuki Tokumine,Kun’ichi Miyazawa

doi:10.1155/2012/583817

Abstract

Single-crystal nanowhiskers (NWs) composed of fullerene C70molecules were synthesized by the liquid-liquid interfacial precipitation method that usedm-xylene as a saturated solution of C70molecules. Bending behavior of the individual NWs was observed byin situtransmission electron microscopy equipped with nanonewton force measurements using an optical deflection method. The Young’s modulus of the NWs was estimated to be 0.3–1.9 GPa, which was 2–7% of the moduli of fullerene NWs with similar diameters synthesized using other solvents, that is, toluene and pyridine. The influence of the solvent used in the precipitation method on Young’s modulus is discussed.

Highlights

Crystals composed of fullerene molecules have been synthesized by precipitation methods [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13]
The structures of fullerene NWs and NTs synthesized by liquid interfacial precipitation (LLIP) methods are influenced by solvation behaviors, suggesting that the mechanical properties depend on the solvents used
The crystal structure of the NT was tetragonal. This crystal structure has been observed in dried C60 NWs and NTs synthesized by LLIP methods [17,18,19]

Summary

Introduction

Crystals composed of fullerene molecules have been synthesized by precipitation methods [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13]. Miyazawa et al discovered the one-axis preferential growth of fullerene single crystals; a liquid-liquid interfacial precipitation (LLIP) method produces fullerene nanowhiskers (NWs) and nanotubes (NTs) with high lengthto-diameter aspect ratios [14]. Because this structural feature is suitable for application in advanced nanodevices, the mechanical properties of these NWs and NTs have been the focus of a considerable amount of research. The structures of fullerene NWs and NTs synthesized by LLIP methods are influenced by solvation behaviors, suggesting that the mechanical properties depend on the solvents used

Results

Discussion

Conclusion