Structural characterization of C60 nanowhiskers formed by the liquid/liquid interfacial precipitation method

The structure of C-60 whiskers fabricated by using the liquid/liquid interfacial precipitation method is analysed with transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The C-60 whiskers with submicrometre diameters, named C-60 nanowhiskers (C(60)NWs)', contain (002)(c) planar faults, and the centre-to-centre distance between the C-60 molecules along the growth axis Of C(60)NWs is shortened similar to1% compared with that of pristine C-60 crystals, indicating the formation of chemical bondings between the C-60 molecules along [110](c) ([100](t)) close-packed directions of the C(60)NWs. The electrical resistivity Of C60 whiskers decreased on decreasing their diameter. This result suggests that the C(60)NWs are electrically conductive. The C60 whiskers are very flexible and could form a semicircle with a curvature radius of 38 mum. Copyright (C) 2003 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.