| Following the discovery of C60 in 1985, the compound has attracted much research due to its unique properties and wide array of potential applications from drug delivery to energy conversion. Multi-ton production of this compound began in 2003, and thus concerns of the fate of C60 in the environment began to be taken seriously. Although C60 has low solubility in water, it can form a stable aqueous colloidal suspension (termed nC60) through several methods, such as solvent exchange from organic solvents or long-term vigorous stirring in water. Literature reports have been seemingly contradictory about the stability, form, and environmental and health effects of this aqueous colloidal form. This study discuss the role of the [6,6]-closed epoxide derivative of C 60 (C60O) in the formation and stabilization of the colloidal aggregates. Additionally, the oxidative behavior of nC 60 as evaluated using the probe molecule dihydrorhodamine-123 (DHR 123) is also discussed. |
