Synthesis of Fullerene Nanotubes by Liquid-liquid Interfacial Precipitation Method in the System of C60-pyridine and Isopropyl Alcohol

Nanotubes composed of C60 molecules (C60NTs) were prepared at ambient pressure and temperature by liquidliquid interfacial precipitation (LLIP) method using pyridine and isopropyl alcohol (IPA) for the solvent of C60 powder. The pyridine solution saturated with C60 was (a) exposed to UV (302 nm) and visible (436 nm) light, (b) mixed with IPA at 1:10, 1:9, 1:8, and 1:7 (C60pyridine:IPA) ratios, and (c) grown at temperature settings of 15°C, 10°C, and 5°C. Results show that specimens irradiated under visible light have higher yield of nanotubes, higher reproducibility, and faster growth rate. C60NTs also form faster when prepared using 1:10 and 1:9 solvent ratios and incubated at 5°C temperature. Further, the diameter of C60NTs varies widely when prepared using higher ratio but is relatively smaller and more uniform in solutions with lower ratio.