Optoelectronic properties of one-dimensional fullerene Nanorods

One-dimensional (1D) C60 nanorods were synthesized using a liquid-liquid interfacial precipitation method. TEM and SEM were used to characterize the C60 structure. The C60 nanorod growth direction was mainly limited to the [110] direction. Surface photovoltage spectroscopy (SPS) was used to study the optoelectronic property of 1D C60 nanorods film, and greatly enhanced SPS response was observed compared with the pristine C60 film, indicating that the 1D structure of the C60 nanorods is beneficial for the separation and transport of photo-generated charges. The charge transport property of a single C60 nanorod assembled on Au electrodes was also investigated, and it was found that its I-V curve exhibits special rectifying behavior. •C60 nanorods were prepared by LLIP method.•The enhanced SPS response in the visible range was obtained for C60 nanorods.•The back-to-back Schottky barriers were formed for a single C60 nanorod on a pair of Au electrodes.