Poly(vinyl pyrrolidone)—C70 complexes in aqueous solutions

Abstract Aqueous solutions of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone)–fullerene complexes (PVP–C 70 ) have been studied using static and dynamic light scattering methods. Two diffusive processes were detected. The slow diffusion was interpreted as dynamics of large intermolecular PVP–C 70 complexes while the fast diffusion was associated with the presence of individual PVP molecules in solution. It was also shown that the molecular weights and dimensions of PVP–C 70 complexes are smaller than for PVP–C 60 by a factor of 2.5–3. In aqueous solutions of PVP–C 70 complex the depolarization and dissymmetry of scattered light were observed in contrast to PVP–C 60 solutions. It reveals the existence of anisotropic structures in PVP–C 70 solutions. Intermolecular interactions within PVP–C 70 complexes are weak and a hydrodynamic field can destroy complexes.