Inclusion of C₆₀ into MCM-41 by Solvophobic Nature

Abstract

Conventional method of incorporation of organic molecules to inorganic porous materials requires high temperature and highly reduced pressure. An efficient process that avoids the serious technical problems is strongly desired. In this study, our group reports an unprecedented method for the efficient combination of C60 with MCM-41. The concept of the method is based on the solvophobic interaction between a nonpolar solute and an inorganic solid surface in a polar solvent. Very high levels (26 wt %) of C60 in MCM-41 were achieved using this method. Strong evidence for intrachannel inclusion was provided by the measurement of various characteristics of the resulting composites