Separation of C-60 and C-70 fullerenes by thin-layer chromatography on silica gel impregnated with polymers

Separation of C-60 and C-70 fullerenes was studied on silica gel layers imp regnated with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), and poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO) solutions at 0.5-2.5%. To evaluate the effect of pol ymer nature on the retention of fullerenes, Delta hR(f)' values were determ ined: Delta hR(f)' = hR(f(impregnated) SiO2))-hR(f(SiO2)) For all polymers, the Delta hR(f)' values of fullerenes increased with increasing concentrat ion (C) of the impregnating solution. At C = 2.5%, Delta hR(f)' increased w ith polymer nature in the following order: PVA < PEO < PVP. The separation selectivity of fullerenes also improved. Increasing the concentration of ac etate groups in PVA increased Delta hR(f)'. The nature of interaction betwe en fullerene and polymers is discussed.