26. Chattopadhyay, Pratibhash; Gupta, Ram B. Supercritical CO2-Based Production of Fullerene Nanoparticles. Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. (2000), 39(7), 2281-2289.

Abstract

Buckminsterfullerene (C60) nanoparticles have potential uses in a variety of applications, including pharmaceuticals, lubricants, composite materials, specialized coatings, and interfacing membrane surfaces. In this study, the supercrit. antisolvent process is used to reduce C60 particle size from 40 m to as low as 29 nm. C60 dissolved in toluene is injected into supercrit. CO2, causing pptn. of C60 as fine particles. Because of the high diffusivity of CO2 in toluene, a rapid supersatn. is achieved, which results in the formation of C60 nanoparticles with a narrow size distribution. The effect of pressure, temp., and jet velocity on particle size and morphol. is studied. The particle size increases linearly with the d. of supercrit. CO2. A high jet velocity yields spherical particles, whereas a lower jet velocity yields both spherical and rodlike particles. In most cases, a uniform thin film of the particles is obtained on the collection plate.

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