Photoinduced Polymerization of Solid C ₆₀ Films

The irradiation of oxygen-free, face-centered-cubic C 60 films with visible or ultraviolet light phototransformed C 60 into a different solid phase. Results from laser desorption mass spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Raman and infrared spectroscopy, optical absorption, and luminescence indicate that a photopolymerization of the fullerene molecules within the film occurred.