Pressure-induced dimerization of fullerene C60:: a kinetic study

The kinetics of pressure-induced dimerization of fullerite C-60 at 1.5 GPa in the 373-473 K temperature interval was studied by X-ray diffraction, infrared and Raman spectroscopy. Kinetic curves of the dimerization reaction in the fee and sc phases of C-60 were obtained by monitoring the dimeric (C-60)(2) IR line at 796 cm(-1). The value of the dimerization activation energy was determined to be E-a(dim) = 134 +/- 6 kJ mol(-1),assuming the second order irreversible reaction. The peculiarities of the dimerization processes in the fee and sc phases of C-60 fullerite are also discussed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.