Anion sensitive voltammetry of fullerene C60 dissolved in 1,2-dichlorobenzene deposit in contact with aqueous electrolyte

Electroreduction of C₆₀ dissolved in hydrophobic solvent deposited on the electrode surface was studied. A microliter amount of C₆₀ and tetrahexylammonium perchlorate solution in 1,2-dichlorobenzene was deposited on basal plane pyrolytic graphite electrode and this electrode was immersed into an aqueous solution. The voltammetry shows three consecutive reduction–oxidation steps. The redox potential of first electroreduction step is sensitive on anion but not on cation present in the aqueous phase. This parameter also depends on electrolyte concentration in the aqueous and organic phase. It is proposed that electroreduction of C₆₀ is preceded by anion exchange and followed by anion expulsion to the aqueous phase. Similar anion effect on the redox potential is also observed for unsupported deposit indicating importance of initial partitioning of electrolyte into the organic phase.