Bookmark and Share

Structures, phase transitions and orientational properties of the C60 monomer and polymers

Acta Cryst. (2005). A61, 62–76

[C60 dimers] Model distribution of C60 dimers: a precursor stage of the high-presssure high-temperature polymerization (C60 are represented as circles).
The high symmetry and round shape of the fullerene molecules induce orientational phenomena that play an important role in the properties of the fullerene compounds. This is illustrated in this review, which is focused on the orientational properties of C60 monomer and polymer structures. The peculiar pressure–temperature orientational phase diagram of pristine C60 is first described. Then, the polymerization processes and the various structures obtained under high-pressure high-temperature conditions or via doping by alkali metals are summarized.
Roger Moret