No abstract

Hydroxylated C60 molecules, also called fullerols, are a class of water‐soluble fullerenes. Here we report the synthesis in acidic conditions of a highly derivatized fullerol (up to 36 carbons per C60 are oxidized). Spectroscopic investigations (X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and infrared absorption) highlight the coexistence of both acidic and basic forms for the hydroxyl addends of derivatized C60. pH titrimetry reveals that, at millimolar concentrations, only ten protons per fullerol molecule are labile. Such a low value, as compared to 36 hydroxyl groups, is explained by the formation of clusters. A UV‐vis absorption study performed over a large range of concentrations also points to the aggregation phenomenon. Moreover, this study shows that the clusters of fullerols appear at relatively low (micromolar) concentrations. An electron spin resonance (ESR) study, based on the attack of singlet oxygen (1Δg) on 2,2,6,6‐tetramethyl‐4‐piperidinol (TMP‐OH), has proved the potential of hydroxylated C60 for performing efficient generation of singlet oxygen in aqueous solution. ESR measurements, which allow detection and quantification of 1Δg, have also revealed the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The yield of generation of 1Δg and ROS is strongly correlated to the concentration of fullerol, thus also pointing to the aggregation of fullerol molecules. Exposing glioblastoma cells to oxidative stress in the presence of hydroxylated C60 and visible light has also been performed. Atomic force microscopy is used to monitor the relevant diminishment of the Young's modulus values for cells exposed to the oxidative stress. These results point to a possible application field of fullerols for performing bio‐oxidations.

The purpose of manipulating isolated single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), rather than bundles, has led to an active research in the field of the functionalisation of such carbon compounds. Different ways exist today to obtain some new soluble macromolecules from SWNTs. Here we focus on the fluorination functionalisation. As the solubility properties depend essentially on the functionalisation degree, it is important to develop reliable and simple methods to quantify this degree. The C n F stoichiometry of three different fluorinated SWNTs samples are determined with the X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). Then the evolution of the Raman spectra with the fluorination degree of these samples is discussed. An atomic force microscopy (AFM) study highlights the good solvation properties of the most fluorinated sample with a majority of isolated nanotubes being observed. Then we take advantage of these good solvation properties, combined with the possibility of recovering the pristine non-fluorinated nanotubes, to carry out surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) studies of well-dispersed SWNTs. These studies put in evidence the bundle effect, which is due to the agglomeration of SWNTs into bundles. This effect can be readily observed by Raman spectroscopy.