Study of aggregates of fullerene-based ionomers in aqueous solutions using small angle neutron and X-ray scattering

A study on C60 fullerenes and fullerene derivatives was conducted to investigate structures and aggregation behavior of a starlike ionomer, C60[(CH2)nSO3Na]6 with n=4 in water solutions. Small angle neutron scattering and small angle X-ray scattering techniques were employed in the study. Interparticle interactions between the aggregates of star ionomers were observed that proved to be much weaker and insensitive to the temperature change for the concentrations investigated. Other findings are discussed.