ABSTRACT
Fine fibrous precipitates of C60 were discovered in 2001 in a colloidal solution of lead zirconate titanate containing C60. Those fine solid fibers of C60 were identified as single-crystal C60 nanofibers and named “C60 nanowhiskers.” The synthetic method of preparing C60 nanowhiskers — the liquid-liquid interfacial precipitation method — was soon developed and has been widely used to prepare various fullerene nanowhiskers of C70, C60 derivatives, and C60. The liquid-liquid interfacial precipitation method is applicable to preparing tubular fullerene nanofibers (fullerene nanotubes), C60 nanosheets, and low-dimensional fullerene nanomaterials containing various metals and chemicals. This introductory chapter gives an overview of the synthetic method, the crystallographic structure, and the mechanical, thermal, electrical, and chemical properties of fullerene nanowhiskers and fullerene nanotubes and their application.
