Separation of C60 and C70 fullerenes in gram quantities by fractional crystallization

Abstract A simple and inexpensive method for the purification of gram quantities of >99.5% pure C 60 and > 98% pure C 70 by a fractional crystallization process in carbon disulfide or o-xylene is described. This process is based on the finding that C 60 was enriched in the solid deposit, whereas C 70 was enriched in the mother liquor during crystallization of fullerenes due to differential solubilities of these two fullerenes, C 60 and C 70 , in these solvents.