Self-Assembling Supramolecular Nanostructures from a C60 Derivative: Nanorods and Vesicles

Simple modification of solution conditions provides facile access to supramolecular fullerene nanostructures. The fullerene derivative shown self-assembles to give nanorods or vesicles. The nanorods have diameters of 10–250 nm, depending on the counterion, and lengths greater than 70 μm. If ultrasonication is used, no nanorods form, but vesicles result having diameters of 10–70 nm and wall thicknesses of 3–6 nm.