ABSTRACT

Since the discovery of fullerenes in 1985, 1 different research fields in fundamental science and nanotechnology have investigated this unique carbon nanomaterial. The family of this allotropic form of carbon consists of cage-like molecules with a spheroid shape. The more common cages are C60 or C70, whereas bigger ones such as C76, C78, C84, …, C190 are usually only present in trace amounts. Among these aromatic molecules, the highly symmetrical and spherical structure of C60 has, in particular, attracted the attention of scientists across the world. The investigation studies of this molecule increased drastically after it became available in bulk quantities. 2 Apart from interesting physical and chemical properties, this molecule shows low toxicity and is almost inert to different environments under mild conditions.