THE ELECTROREDUCTION OF C-60 FILMS IN SOLUTIONS CONTAINING CROWN-ETHER COMPLEXES OF ALKALI-METAL CATIONS

The redox behavior of C-60 films was examined in the presence of solub le 18-crown-6 complexes of alkali metals. The formation of stable full eride films was observed for the process of C-60 layer reduction in th e presence of 18-crown-6 complexes of potassium. Two different structu res of C-60(-) salts are believed to be formed during the electrochemi cally induced intercalation of this complex into the C-60 solid layer. However, for the Li+ and Cs+ complexes the process of C-60 film reduc tion and re-oxidation was observed to be irreversible. The energy of t hese alkali metal cation intercalated layers is lower than that of the crown ether complex formation. Therefore, the dissociation of the cro wn complex and irreversible intercalation of lithium and caesium catio ns into the structure of C-60 film predominates. (C) 1998 Elsevier Sci ence S.A. All rights reserved.