Solid C60: a new form of carbon
Abstract
A new form of pure, solid carbon has been synthesized consisting of a somewhat disordered hexagonal close packing of soccer-ball-shaped C60 molecules. Infrared spectra and X-ray diffraction studies of the molecular packing confirm that the molecules have the anticipated 'fullerene' structure. Mass spectroscopy shows that the C70 molecule is present at levels of a few per cent. The solid-state and molecular properties of C60 and its possible role in interstellar space can now be studied in detail.
- Publication:
-
Nature
- Pub Date:
- September 1990
- DOI:
- 10.1038/347354a0
- Bibcode:
- 1990Natur.347..354K