Thermal Desorption States of C[sub 60] Fullerene Molecules in Polymer Matrices

Abstract

Polymer-C60 fullerene composite coatings are studied using thermal desorption mass spectrometry. It is found that thermal desorption spectra of C60 fullerene molecules can exhibit several resolved peaks (at a specified heating rate) corresponding to thermal desorption states. The relative intensity of the thermal desorption peaks depends on the procedure used for preparing the composite coatings, in particular, on the time of sedimentation of the polymer-fullerene suspension. The occurrence of different stages in thermally stimulated desorption of C60 fullerene molecules is explained by the fact that the fullerene molecules can exist in several phase states characterized by different densities and degrees of ordering in the polymer matrix.