Electrochemical Synthesis of Polymerized LiC60 Films

Electrochemical reduction of a C 60 solution (acetonitrile/toluene) in the presence of LiClO 4 on a Pt working electrode at elevated temperatures led to the formation of insoluble, reddish-brown carbon films. Various spectroscopic analyses (Raman, time-of-flight mass, FT-IR, NMR) revealed the presence of a negatively charged, polymeric phase of intact C 60 moieties interspersed with Li + counterions. SEM analysis showed the growth of highly disordered spherical particles of several micrometers in size. Semiempirical MO calculations of the models of initial dimerization process of monomer radical anions support the assumption of a spontaneous radical polymerization process.