The effect of solvent ratio and water on the growth of C60 nanowhiskers

The growth of C₆₀ nanowhiskers (C₆₀NWs) prepared by a modified liquid–liquid interfacial precipitation method is investigated, focusing on the effect of solvent ratio and water content in the C₆₀–toluene–isopropyl alcohol (IPA) solution system. The precipitation of C₆₀NWs was markedly influenced by the solvent ratio of toluene to IPA, and the C₆₀NWs were found to grow longer above a critical diameter (D_c), which depends on the solvent ratio. The addition of a small amount of H₂O to the C₆₀–toluene–IPA solution promoted the growth of C₆₀NWs. This catalytic effect of water on the growth of C₆₀NWs was confirmed also by the experiment using heavy water (D₂O) and by the decrease of growth activation energy of C₆₀NWs with increase of H₂O content in the C₆₀–toluene–IPA solution.