oltammetric studies on microcrystalline C60 adhered to an electrode surface by solvent casting and mechanical transfer methods

Voltammetric studies on C60 fullerene particles adhered to an electrode surface by solvent casting or mechanical transfer exhibit evidence of nucleation and growth controlled processes for the C600/- and C60-/2- solid state when the modified electrode is in contact with acetonitrile solutions containing NBu4+ electrolyte. Although peak potentials and peak separations are dependent on scan rate as well as the amount of deposit and temperature, potentials obtained using a zero-current extrapolation method are almost independent of all these parameters. These data enable reversible potentials of -816 and -1168 mV vs. Ag/Ag+ to be obtained in acetonitrile (0.1 M NBu4PF6) respectively for the processes: C60(solid) + NBu4+(solution) + e- ⇌ NBu4 C60(solid) and NBu4C60(solid) + NBu4+(solution)+ e- ⇌ (NBu4)2C60(solid). Images obtained by scanning electron microscopy reveal that both the crystalline and particle size is enhanced by 60 s of reductive electrolysis, with the detected (NBu4)2C60 crystals being slightly larger than those of (NBu4)C60. After a short period of potential cycling or controlled potential electrolysis, it is concluded that the data obtained by either method of surface adherence are almost indistinguishable, as are their morphologies.

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