Selective and reversible self-assembly of C60 fullerene on a 9,10-bis(S-acetylthiomethyl)anthracene modified gold surface

Abstract

A tailored di-S-acetyl anthracene derivative was synthesized and anchored to a gold electrode in order to produce well-ordered monolayers of C₆₀ fullerene according to the Diels–Alder reaction. AFM studies, IRRAS and XPS spectroscopy proved successful grafting onto the Au surface of both anthracene dithioacetate and its subsequent Diels–Alder adduct with C₆₀ fullerene. Electrochemical properties of the fullerene adduct monolayers were characterized by cyclic voltammetry. Voltammetry was used also to prove the thermally controlled release of C₆₀ fullerene from the Diels–Alder adduct modified gold surface. Selective affinity of the anthracene derivative deposited on gold towards the C₆₀ molecule allows for the recognition and separation of C₆₀ from the fullerene soot.