Structural, Morphological, and Spectroscopical Properties of Fullerenes (C60) Thin Film Prepared via Electrospray Deposition

Abstract

In this study, fullerenes (C60) thin film was prepared via a novel combination of laser pulsed and electrospray methods using wasted batteries’ electrodes as precursor. The effect of the applied electric potential using electrospray process was investigated through the structural, morphological and optical analyses. These in turn were examined using x-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and photoluminescence techniques. In particular, using Williamson-Hall relation, the average crystallite size of the prepared nanoparticles was estimated in which it was found in the range of 41.46-111.84 nm. While sample treated with 5.6 kV of electric potential exhibited particle size of 6.35 nm using FESEM technique as compared to 7.4 nm for sample prepared under free potential. It is believed that the applied electric potential plays a vital role in reducing the particle size which in turn provides an alternative pathway for fabricating future optoelectronic design.