DESORPTION OF FULLERENE C-60 FROM A MIXTURE WITH A COPOLYMER OF TRIFLUOROCHLOROETHYLENE AND VINYLIDENE FLUORIDE

Thermal desorption mass spectrometry has been used to study the desorp tion of fullerene C-60 molecules from a mixture with a copolymer of tr ifluorochloroethylene and vinylidene fluoride. The temperature range o f the C-60 yield from the copolymer mixture is substantially lower (ap proximately 100 degrees C lower) than the temperature range for the su blimation of pure C-60 molecules. The temperature range of the C-60 yi eld from the copolymer mixture is the same as that for the desorption of HCl and HF formed as a result of copolymer cross Linking reactions. The desorption of C-60 from the copolymer mixture is a two-stage proc ess correlated with the stages of HCL and HF formation for which the t emperatures at the maximum desorption rates differ. The results sugges t that the copolymer cross-linking processes and the desorption of C-6 0 molecules are interrelated. (C) 1997 American Institute of Physics.