EVIDENCE OF CONFINEMENT OF FULLERENE C-60 IN MICROPOROUS VPI-5 ZEOLITE

Anderson's method of incorporation of C-60 within the cages of a VPI-5 zeolite has been used as well as a chemical vapor deposition procedur e. Xe-129 nuclear magnetic resonance has confirmed that, starting from an organic solution of fullerene, C-60 was actually incorporated into the molecular cages of the inorganic matrix. Thermal analysis methods and X-ray diffraction show that the treatment does not affect the int egrity of the crystalline structure of VPI-5. Photoluminescence experi ments gave similar results to those already mentioned by other authors , indicating the probable confinement effect of the inorganic matrix o n the C-60 isolated molecules. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All righ ts reserved.