High-temperature reactions of C60 with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Fullerenes are proposed as a precursor for preparation of nanocarbon materials using controlled collapse of cage structure by high temperature reaction with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The chemical modification of C60 by reaction with anthracene and coronene was studied over a broad temperature interval. The products of the reaction were characterized by X-ray diffraction, and Raman and IR spectroscopy. Mono- and multi-adducts of C60 with anthracene were obtained in the temperature interval 290-400 °C. Above 400 °C the C60 adducts are not stable and decompose back to C60 and anthracene. No chemical adducts of C60 with coronene were found below 500 °C. Above this temperature fullerite structure was found to expand reflecting interaction with coronene melt and vapor. The reactions of C60 with anthracene and C60 with coronene at temperatures above 650 °C resulted in fullerene cage collapse and formation of nanocarbons. These nanocarbons were found to store up to 0.45 wt% of hydrogen at ambient temperatures despite negligible surface area.