Preparation, characterization, and electrochemical application of metal/metal ion loaded fullerene nanowhiskers

Ce-doped C₆₀ nanowhiskers were prepared by liquid–liquid interfacial precipitation method using C₆₀-saturated benzene and Ce-containing isopropyl alcohol solution. The optical microscopy and scanning electron microcopy images of the Ce-doped nanowhiskers revealed the formation of lengthy nanowhiskers with uniform diameter. The X-ray diffraction pattern of the as-prepared and heat-treated Ce-doped nanowhiskers elucidated the face-centered cubic crystalline nature and the formation of CeO₂ phase at 400 °C. Raman spectroscopic studies on the Ce-doped nanowhiskers revealed the polymerization of the C₆₀ molecules in the nanowhiskers. The diameter of the nanowhiskers was calculated from the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) image, and it varied in the range of 150–300 nm. The scanning TEM mapping analysis was shown to confirm the Ce doping and the location of the Ce ion doping in the nanowhiskers. The electrochemical characterization of the nanowhiskers does not show any sufficient response because of the poor electrical conductivity of the nanowhiskers.