Synthesis and Functions of Fullerene Nanotubes

Abstract

Fullerene nanotubes (FNTs) are the tubular needle-like crystals with diameters less than 1 μm that are composed of fullerene molecules such as C60 and C70. Single crystalline FNTs can be synthesized by use of the liquid-liquid interfacial precipitation method. Up to now, C60 nanotubes, C70 nanotubes, and C60-C70 two-component nanotubes (NTs) have been synthesized. The as-grown C60 and C70 nanotubes have solvated hexagonal structures and turn to face-centered cubic structures by losing solvent molecules upon drying. The C60 molecules of dried C60 nanotubes are bonded via weak van der Waals forces. The C60 nanotubes decompose at about 416°C in air, showing a high thermal stability. Various materials can be incorporated into the FNTs owing to their relatively large inner diameter on the order of 100 nm. The FNTs will find various applications in the field of transistors, solar cells, catalysts, chemical synthesis templates, MEMS devices, and so forth in future.