Effective dispersion of fullerene with methacrylate copolymer in organic solvent and poly(methyl methacrylate)

Dispersion of fullerene, C-60, by addition of polymethacrylate dispersant in methyl methacrylate (MMA) and incorporation of C-60 into poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) were investigated. Copolymers synthesized by radical copolymerization of MMA and 2-naphthyl methacrylate (NMA), poly(MMA-co-NMA), effectively dispersed C-60 in MMA to form clusters of 20 nm. In these cases, addition of minimal 110 naphthyl groups per unit C-60 molecule afforded to give clusters with minimum of 20 nm sizes. Furthermore, block copolymers, poly(MMA-b-NMA) with MMA/NMA mole ratio from 12:1 to 20:1, also efficiently dispersed C-60 to give formation of clusters of 20 nm size by addition of minimal 40 naphthyl groups per unit C-60 molecule, which was corresponding to approximate nine layers of naphthyl group in block copolymer adsorbed on the surface of the cluster. Hybrid films of C-60/PMMA, prepared by casting of C-60-dispersed solution containing PMMA, exhibited absorbance at 400 nm linearly increased with C-60 content.