title: Fullerol cluster formation in aqueous solutions: implications for environmental release.
abstract: Here we report on the characteristics of fullerol in aqueous systems and examine those conditions that affect the physical state of fullerol in water. When dispersed in water fullerol forms polydisperse suspensions characterized by both small ( approximately 100 nm) and large associations (>500 nm). These clusters are charged with a point of zero net proton charge (PZNPC) of approximately pH 3. Though the size of fullerol clusters may be manipulated through changes in solution chemistry, principally pH, cluster formation cannot be entirely prevented through these means alone. The fullerol cluster structure is amorphous as revealed by X-ray diffraction analysis, which is in contrast to clusters of C(60) formed through dissolution in toluene and then introduced into water through sonication (SONnC(60)). The SONnC(60) clusters are crystalline with a structure similar to that of unreacted C(60) crystals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708-0287, USA. brantjon@duke.edu
authors.forename: Jonathan A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Brant
authors.forename: Jérôme
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Labille
authors.forename: Christine Ogilvie
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: Robichaud
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wiesner
mesh_terms: D037741:Fullerenes / Q000737:chemistry*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D012996:Solutions; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
chemical_list: D037741:Fullerenes; D012996:Solutions; C408042:fullerol C60(OH)24; D014867:Water