Nanofibers of Fullerene C 60 through Interplay of Ball‐and‐Socket Supermolecules

Mixing solutions of p ‐ t Bu‐calix[5]arene and C 60 in toluene results in a 1:1 complex (C 60 )∩( p ‐ t Bu‐calix[5]arene), which precipitates as nanofibers. The principle structural unit is based on a host–guest ball‐and‐socket nanostructure of the two components, with an extended structure comprising zigzag/helical arrays of fullerenes (powder X‐ray diffraction data coupled with molecular modeling). Under argon at temperatures above 309 °C, the fibers undergo selective volatilization of the calixarenes to afford C 60 ‐core nanostructures encapsulated in a graphitic material sheath, which exhibits a dramatic increase in surface area. Above 650 °C the material exhibits an ohmic conductance response, due to the encapsulation process.