Fullerenes

Quick Summary: Fullerenes

  • What they are — closed-cage carbon allotropes (C₆₀, C₇₀, higher fullerenes) with discrete molecular structure and unique electronic and biological behavior
  • Why they matter — strong electron acceptors, antioxidant properties, photoactive in organic photovoltaics, purifiable to molecular precision
  • Compared to other nanocarbons — discrete molecules (not extended sheets or tubes), fully soluble in many organic solvents, chromatographically purifiable
  • Key applications — organic photovoltaic devices, antioxidant cosmetics, MRI contrast agents, optical limiting, single-molecule electronics
  • Available forms — C₆₀ >99%, C₇₀ >98%, C₆₀/C₇₀ mixtures, PCBM (PV-grade)
  • Selection guide — see the Fullerenes: Properties and Applications guide

Fullerenes — C60 & C70

Whether you’re developing organic solar cells, characterizing electron transport through molecular junctions, or exploring fullerene photochemistry, your results depend on purity you can verify — not just a certificate of analysis number that came with the shipment.

Cheap Tubes has supplied HPLC-purified C60 (99%+) and C70 (99%+) to research labs since 2005, backed by representative UV-Vis and mass spec characterization data. From 100 mg for exploratory work to multi-gram quantities for scale-up. If our material doesn’t meet our published purity specifications, we’ll replace it or refund your order. Ships from Vermont.

C60 from $15/g, C70 from $30/g. Contact us for volume pricing or custom purity specifications.

Deeper reading: Fullerenes: Structure, Properties, and Applications — our research guide covering cage topology, synthesis, characterization, functionalization chemistry, and purity-grade selection.

What Are Fullerenes?

Fullerenes are carbon allotropes arranged in closed, hollow cage-like structures. The most well-known is Buckminsterfullerene (C60) — 60 carbon atoms in 20 hexagons and 12 pentagons, resembling a soccer ball at the nanoscale. Discovered in 1985 by Kroto, Curl, and Smalley (Nobel Prize, Chemistry, 1996). The family spans C60, C70, C76, C84, endohedral fullerenes, and functionalized derivatives.

Molecular structure comparison of C60 buckminsterfullerene (icosahedral, purple) and C70 fullerene (elongated, amber) showing pentagon and hexagon carbon ring arrangements
C60 (left): 60 carbon atoms in a perfect icosahedral cage of 12 pentagons and 20 hexagons. C70 (right): 70 carbon atoms in an elongated cage — 5 additional hexagons extend the equatorial band.

C60 Properties

Property Value
Molecular Weight 720.64 g/mol
Symmetry Ih (icosahedral)
Cage Diameter ~0.71 nm
Solubility in Toluene ~2.8 mg/mL at 25°C
Solubility in CS2 ~7.9 mg/mL at 25°C
Electron Affinity 2.65 eV
HOMO-LUMO Gap 1.9 eV
Max Li atoms per cage 12

C60 is an excellent electron acceptor (triply degenerate LUMO, reversibly accepts up to 6 electrons). Soluble in aromatic solvents and CS2; insoluble in water in pristine form. Light-sensitive in solution — store protected from UV.

C70 vs C60

Property C60 C70
Molecular Weight 720.64 g/mol 840.74 g/mol
Shape Spherical (Ih) Ellipsoidal (D5h)
Visible absorption Lower Higher — broader spectrum
OPV performance Baseline 5–10% higher PCE
Cost Lower Higher (less abundant)
Infographic showing six fullerene applications: organic photovoltaics, organic electronics, lubrication, biomedical research, energy storage, and cosmetics
Fullerene applications across six sectors. C60 purity (99% vs 99.9%+) and functionalization determine suitability for each use case.

Applications

Organic Photovoltaics (OPV)

Fullerenes are the benchmark electron acceptor in bulk heterojunction organic solar cells. PC61BM and PC71BM (derivatives of C60 and C70) achieve PCEs of 8–11% in single-junction devices. C60 and C70 are direct precursors for these derivatives and are used in vacuum-deposited bilayer OPV architectures.

Organic Field-Effect Transistors

Thermally evaporated C60 films form n-type organic semiconductors with electron mobilities up to 6 cm²/Vs — among the highest for any organic n-type material. Used in flexible electronics, CMOS logic, and chemical sensors.

Lubrication and Tribology

C60’s spherical geometry enables it to function as a molecular ball bearing. Fullerene lubricant additives reduce friction coefficients by 10–30% in metal-on-metal contacts. Effective in high-vacuum and extreme-pressure environments where conventional lubricants fail.

C60-Fullerenes
C60 Fullerenes

Radical Scavenging and Antioxidant

C60 is arguably the most potent radical scavenger known — reacting with up to 34 methyl radicals per molecule. Its 3D pi system efficiently traps oxygen-centered and carbon-centered radicals. C60 in squalane is used in anti-aging skincare, outperforming vitamin C and E in peer-reviewed UV-oxidative stress studies.

Biomedical Research

Functionalized and water-soluble fullerene derivatives (fullerenols, amino-fullerenes) are being investigated for antiviral activity (HIV, SARS-CoV-2 protease), antibacterial coatings, photodynamic therapy (singlet oxygen generation), and neuroprotection in Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease models.

Energy Storage

C60 can reversibly accommodate up to 12 Li atoms per molecule. Alkali-metal-doped fullerenes (K3C60) become superconductors at low temperature (Tc = 18K). Endohedral metallofullerenes are studied for quantum information applications.

Synthesis

Commercial fullerenes are produced by the Kratschmer-Huffman arc evaporation method: graphite electrodes are vaporized by high-current arc in helium atmosphere (~100 Torr). The resulting soot (75–85% C60, 10–15% C70) is extracted with toluene and purified to >99% by HPLC on a Buckyprep column. Identity confirmed by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and UV-Vis absorption.

Solubility and Handling

Prepare solutions by sonicating C60 in solvent for 15–30 minutes, then filter through 0.2 μm PTFE membrane. Solutions are photosensitive — store in the dark. Dry powder is stable indefinitely sealed, away from light and moisture. Handle with nitrile gloves; avoid inhalation of fine powder.

Grade Selection and Pricing

Cheap Tubes offers C60 (99%+, 99.5%+, 99.9%+) and C70 (99%+) with HPLC, MS, and UV-Vis characterization on every lot. Available from 100 mg to multi-gram quantities. C60 99% from $99/g; C70 99% from $250/g. Contact us for volume pricing and custom specifications.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between C60 and C70?

C60 (buckminsterfullerene) is a perfectly symmetric truncated icosahedron of 60 carbon atoms forming 12 pentagons and 20 hexagons. C70 has 70 carbons in an elongated rugby-ball shape with 12 pentagons and 25 hexagons. C60 is more abundant, lower cost, and is the workhorse for OPV donor blends, antioxidants, and superconductivity research. C70 has a slightly larger absorption range in the visible spectrum, which is why some OPV donor materials are paired with PCBM derivatives based on C70 (PC70BM) for higher photocurrent.

How do I dissolve fullerenes?

C60 and C70 are soluble in aromatic solvents: toluene (about 2.8 mg/mL for C60), o-dichlorobenzene (about 27 mg/mL), and 1-chloronaphthalene (about 50 mg/mL). They are essentially insoluble in polar protic solvents (water, alcohols) and have low solubility in aliphatic hydrocarbons. For research, toluene is the standard. For applications requiring higher concentration (OPV active layers), o-dichlorobenzene or chlorobenzene is preferred. Ultrasonication and gentle heating to 40 to 50 C accelerate dissolution.

What purity grade should I order?

For exploratory research, 99.5 percent purity is sufficient and most cost-effective. For OPV active layers, photophysics studies, and electrochemistry, 99.9 percent is the standard. For superconductivity research, single-crystal growth, and applications where trace solvent residue or sublimation contaminants matter, sublimed-grade 99.95+ percent is recommended. We carry all three tiers in C60 and 99.5+ in C70.

Are fullerenes air-stable?

Solid C60 and C70 are stable in air at room temperature in the dark for years. In solution and under UV light or visible light in oxygen, fullerenes can slowly photo-oxidize to fullerenols and other oxidized derivatives. For long-term storage, keep solid powder in sealed amber bottles under inert atmosphere or in the dark. For solutions, use immediately or store under nitrogen at 4 C and protect from light.

What are typical applications of fullerenes?

Major applications include: organic photovoltaics (PCBM and PC70BM as electron acceptors), perovskite solar cells (C60 as electron transport layer), antioxidants and biomedical research (water-soluble C60 derivatives), superconductivity research (alkali-doped fullerides), MRI contrast agents (gadofullerenes), and tribology (C60 as solid lubricant additive). Pure C60 and C70 are also used as standards for mass spectrometry calibration and as building blocks for fullerene chemistry.