Vesicle formation and its fractal distribution by bola-amphiphilic [60]fullerene

A novel amphiphilic [60]fullerene derivative with two ammonium headgroups is synthesized, and its self-organization characteristics in water in the scale ranging from nanometer to micrometer are reported. At the molecular scale, the bola-amphiphilic [60]fullerene forms spherical vesicles. These vesicles, in turn, are placed within a thin wall producing a foamlike network in the scale-up to a few micrometers. TEM and light scattering measurements demonstrate that the mesoscopic-scale structure is self-similar and fractal with the dimension D = 1.40. The novel aggregation modes result from the hydrophobic interaction produced by the [60]fullerene moieties exposed to water molecules by the disordered alkyl tails.