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Computation of Atmospheric Concentrations of Molecular Clusters from ab initio Thermochemistry
Published on: April 8, 2020
Fullerol cluster formation in aqueous solutions: implications for environmental release.
Jonathan A Brant1, Jérôme Labille, Christine Ogilvie Robichaud
1Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708-0287, USA. brantjon@duke.edu
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science
|June 23, 2007
Summary
Fullerol in water forms charged, amorphous clusters whose size depends on pH. Cluster formation persists despite solution chemistry adjustments, unlike crystalline C(60) clusters.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Physical Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Fullerol, a water-dispersible fullerene derivative, exhibits unique properties in aqueous systems.
- Understanding fullerol's aggregation behavior is crucial for its application in various fields.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize fullerol in aqueous systems.
- To investigate factors influencing fullerol's physical state and cluster formation in water.
- To compare fullerol cluster structure with sonicated C(60) clusters.
Main Methods:
- Dispersion of fullerol in aqueous systems.
- Characterization of fullerol suspensions using dynamic light scattering (implied).
- Determination of the point of zero net proton charge (PZNPC) via pH measurements.
- X-ray diffraction analysis of fullerol and C(60) clusters.
Main Results:
- Fullerol forms polydisperse suspensions with small (~100 nm) and large (>500 nm) associations.
- Fullerol clusters are charged, with a PZNPC around pH 3.
- Cluster size is pH-dependent, but formation cannot be entirely prevented.
- Fullerol clusters are amorphous, contrasting with crystalline SONnC(60) clusters.
Conclusions:
- Fullerol aggregation in water is inherent and complex.
- Solution chemistry, particularly pH, influences fullerol cluster size but not formation.
- The amorphous structure of fullerol clusters differs significantly from crystalline C(60) clusters.
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