The new approach for obtaining aqueous solutions of fullerene C60@{H2O}n by the cryogenic sublimation method

Abstract

For the first time, a solid phase of the C60@{H2O}n mixture has been obtained through joint condensation of water vapor and fullerene C60 on a cooled substrate. When heated to room temperature and melted, the mixture C60@{H2O}n forms a stable solution without applying any treatment such as shaking or sonication. The visible and UV spectroscopic analysis of the product shows that the absorption spectrum of the solution prepared by melting the mixture condensed at T1 = 90 K exhibits features characteristic of C60 molecules in pure fullerite films at λ1 = 344 nm, λ2 = 265 nm, and λ3 = 220 nm. The absorption spectrum of the mixture condensed at T2 = 223 K has no features in the long-wavelength region (λ1 = 344 nm), which may be attributed to the functionalization of fullerene vapors in the process of condensation at higher temperatures of the substrate.