Continuous dispersion and size control of gas-phase fullerene C60 particles using a simple method

C ₆₀ aggregates generated by sublimation were characterised using scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS) and cavity ring-down (CRD) spectroscopy. Sublimation under dried nitrogen atmosphere resulted in aggregates with a mode diameter ranging from 30 to 60 nm. The authors found the size reduction of the aggregates upon humidification of the carrier gas. CRD spectroscopy enabled on-line monitoring of C₆₀ structure that composed particles and showed no chemical modification of the sublimation product in the presence of water molecules. The authors concluded that the heat balance was modified in the presence of water, thereby the size of the aggregates was reduced.