Ionic conductivity in the Mg intercalated fullerene polymer Mg2C60

We report the identification of the new intercalated fullerene polymer Mg2C60. Mg intercalation was obtained either by solid state reaction between C60 and Mg, or by thermal decomposition of the metallorganic precursor Mg–Anthracene–(THF)3. High resolution powder synchrotron and neutron diffraction data have clearly shown that Mg2C60 is isostructural to the superionic conductor Li4C60, where fullerenes form a two-dimensional network connected either by four-membered carbon rings, or single C–C bonds. Because of its peculiar structural arrangement Mg2C60 behaves as a good ionic conductor by means of uncorrelated ionic hopping across very small energy barriers (DE less than 100 meV), as found from DC and AC conductivity measurements, thus suggesting its possible use in future Mg-ion batteries

Reversible hydrogen absorption in sodium intercalated fullerenes

The hydrogen absorption of sodium intercalated fullerenes (Na xC60) was determined and compared to pure fullerenes (C60). Up to 3.5 mass% hydrogen can reversibly be absorbed in Na xC60 at 200 °C and a hydrogen pressure of 200 bar. The absorbed amount of hydrogen is significantly higher than for the case when only the sodium would be hydrogenated (∼1 mass% for x = 10). At 200 bar the onset of hydrogen absorption is observed at 150 °C. At a pressure of 1 bar hydrogen the major desorption starts at 250 °C and is completed at 300 °C (heating rate 1 °C min-1). This absorption and desorption temperatures are significantly reduced compared to pure C60, either due to a catalytic reaction of hydrogen on sodium or due to the negatively charged C60. The hydrogen ab/desorption is accompanied by a partial de/reintercalation of sodium. A minor part of the hydrogen is ionically bonded in NaH and the major part is covalently bonded in C60Hx. The sample can be fully dehydrogenated and no NaH is left after desorption. In contrast to C60, where the fullerene cages for high hydrogen loadings are destroyed during the sorption process, the NaxC60 sample stays intact. The samples were investigated by X-ray, in-situ neutron powder diffraction and infrared spectroscopy. NaxC60 was synthesized by reacting sodium azide (NaN3) with C60 (molar ratio of Na:C60 is 10:1). © 2012, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved