Solid-state Na and C NMR characterization of Na3C60

Two separate samples of Na₃C₆₀ were prepared by direct reaction of C₆₀ with sodium metal vapor, and subjected to different annealing times of 10 days and 16 days. Solid-state ¹³C and ²³Na NMR, along with elemental analysis, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy, were used to characterize both samples. The Raman spectra of both materials have a single peak at 1447 cm⁻¹ which correspond to the A_g peak of C₆₀³⁻, consistent with the stoichiometry of Na_xC₆₀ with x=3. The powder XRD patterns are also virtually identical for both samples. However, solid-state ²³Na and ¹³C NMR spectra of the two samples are significantly different, suggesting a relationship between annealing times and the final structure of the alkali fulleride. Variable-temperature ²³Na magic-angle spinning (MAS) NMR experiments reveal the existence of two or three distinct sodium species and reversible temperature-dependent diffusion of sodium ions between octahedral and tetrahedral interstitial sites. ¹³C MAS NMR experiments are used to identify resonances corresponding to free C₆₀ and fulleride species, implying that the samples are segregated-phase materials composed of C₆₀ and non-stoichiometric Na₃C₆₀. Variable-temperature ¹³C MAS NMR experiments reveal temperature-dependent motion of the fullerides.