Fullerene-based organic-inorganic nanocomposites and their applications

The development of new materials based on the novel and unique properties exhibited by the family of fullerenes is attracting growing interest from materials scientists. As the progress of the studies discloses new properties and basic knowledge is better established, three main fields are emerging in the preparation of materials from fullerenes: fullerene thin films, organic polymeric materials that contain fullerene molecules, and the incorporation of fullerenes and their derivatives in inorganic host matrixes to fabricate organic-inorganic nanocomposites. This last family of materials, in particular, opens several interesting perspectives for different applications, especially in nonlinear optics and photoelectrochemistry. Fullerene organic-inorganic nanocomposites have been prepared using porous media as a host matrix and different groups of materials synthesized via sol-gel, such as aerogels, porous inorganic oxides, and hybrid and mesoporous materials. Nanocomposite materials developed from fullerenes in inorganic host media are the objects of the present review.