Effect of linear alcohol molecular size on the self-assembly of fullerene whiskers

The recent development of self-assembled fullerene whiskers and wires has created an enormous potential and resolved a serious challenge for utilizing such unique class of carbon material in advanced nano-scale, molecular-based electronic, optical, and thermal devices. In this paper we investigate, the self-assembly of C60 molecules into one-dimensional whiskers using a series of linear alcohols H(CH2)nOH, with n changing from 1 (methanol) to 3 (isopropyl alcohol), to elucidate the effect of alcohol molecular size on the size distribution of the self-assemble fullerene whiskers. Our results show that the length of the produced fullerene whiskers is affected by the molecular size of the alcohol used in the process. The crucial role played by solvent/alcohol interaction in the assembly process is discussed. In addition, Raman spectroscopy measurements support the notion that the self-assembled whiskers are primarily held by depletion forces and no evidence of fullerene polymerization was observed.

► The longer the alcohol molecule, the shorter the length of the assembled whisker.
► Interaction between alcohol and fullerene solvent is the key factor.
► The stronger the alcohol/solvent interaction, the longer the whisker.