Preparation of three-dimensional ordered macroporous C60 and its application in electrochemical sensors

Abstract

Three-dimensional ordered macroporous (3DOM) materials based on fullerenes (C₆₀) were prepared by using silica (SiO₂) colloidal crystals as templates. The silica colloids were deposited in an orderly manner onto the gold surface, followed with the infiltration of the C₆₀ nanoparticles into the interspaces of the colloids. The as-formed SiO₂/C₆₀ hybrid colloidal crystals were subsequently immersed in hydrofluoric acid to remove the silica components fully to obtain 3DOM C₆₀ frameworks. The control of the C₆₀ infiltration solution concentration is the key to obtaining a high quality 3DOM structure of C₆₀. The band gaps of the SiO₂ colloidal crystal, SiO₂/C₆₀ hybrid colloidal crystal and 3DOM C₆₀ were measured by UV-Vis reflection spectrometry, calculated using Bragg's law, and simulated by Band SOLVE, respectively. It was demonstrated that the 3DOM C₆₀ possesses electrochemical activity and can be used in detecting dopamine with a detection limit of 1.3 × 10⁻⁹ mol L⁻¹. Having a three-dimensional ordered macroporous structure with a greater surface area, the 3DOM C₆₀ modified electrode performed better than an unordered C₆₀ modified electrode and a bare gold electrode.