Reaction of water-stable C60 aggregates with ozone.
While the reactivity of C60 has been described in a variety of organic solvents, little information is available regarding aqueous-based reactions due to solubility limitations. In this study, a reaction between C60, as a nanoscale suspension, and dissolved ozone in the aqueous phase was investigated. Findings indicate a facile reaction occurs, resulting in aggregate dissolution concurrent with formation of water-soluble fullerene oxide species. Product analyses, including 13C NMR, MS (LDI), FTIR, UV-Vis, and XPS, indicate highly oxidized fullerene with an average of approximately 29 oxygen additions per molecule, arranged in repeating hydroxyl and hemiketal functionalities. These findings are significant in that they (1) demonstrate the feasibility of other aqueous-based fullerene chemistries, including those for alternative synthesis routes, which might otherwise be considered prohibitive on the basis of solubility limitations, and (2) imply that the aqueous reactivity of fullerene-based materials must be considered appropriately for accurate assessment of their transport, fate, and potential risk(s) in environmental systems.
School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, USA.
John D
JD
Fortner
Doo-Il
DI
Kim
Adina M
AM
Boyd
Joshua C
JC
Falkner
Sean
S
Moran
Vicki L
VL
Colvin
Joseph B
JB
Hughes
Jae-Hong
JH
Kim
D037741:Fullerenes / Q000737:chemistry*; D005663:Furans / Q000737:chemistry; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D010126:Ozone / Q000737:chemistry*; D012995:Solubility; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
D037741:Fullerenes; D005663:Furans; D014867:Water; C018674:tetrahydrofuran; D010126:Ozone; C069837:fullerene C60