The mechanisms responsible for the dearth of photoactivity amongst most fullerene aggregates are not well-understood. Three series of mono-, bis- and tris-functionalized fullerene derivatives and a series of hydroxylated fullerenes with up to 36 addends have recently been characterized for physicochemical and microbiological activity, contrasting two derivatives that formed highly photoactive aggregates compared with the others which did not exhibit significant activity. Aggregates were size-fractionated via membrane filtration. Surface characterization of aqueous aggregates was performed using X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). Types of surface oxygenation (e.g., hydroxyl, carbonyl and carboxylic groups) were identified and quantified using specific fluoride derivitizations combined with XPS analysis. Laser flash photolysis (LFP) and time-resolved spectroscopy were employed to probe the lifetimes of intermediate, excited states of the fullerene aggregates. Collectively, environmental implications are discussed based on these characterizations. Potential environmental applications are also evaluated based on immobilization experiments on polymer and silica microspheres.

Photochemistry of aqueous fullerene aggregates as a function of size fractionation and surface functionalization

245th National Meeting (2013)

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