FULLERENE FILM ELECTRODES IN AQUEOUS-SOLUTIONS

Solution-cast C-60 films on gold and glassy carbon substrates can be r educed electrochemically in aqueous solutions producing an electron-co nducting cation exchanger material. These films remain active even on exposure to air; their activity decreases measurably only after severa l hours due to some partial oxidation by oxygen. However, they can be converted irreversibly to an insulator form by electrochemical oxidati on starting from about 600 mV versus SHE. Below this potential limit t he reduced C-60 films can be used as electrode materials, and their sp ecific behaviour is demonstrated with some test compounds.