Investigation of ytterbium fulleride compounds

Abstract.

We have synthesized the ytterbium fulleride compounds Yb_xC₆₀ (x=1–6) at a range of lower temperature (530 °C–570 °C). Except for the nominal composition Yb₃C₆₀ compound, which has been reported in the references, we also obtained a new phase Yb₆C₆₀, whose structure is orthorhombic with space group P2₁2₁2 and unit cell parameters a=21.28 Å, b=20.13 Å and c=15.89 Å. The Yb_xC₆₀ compounds are sensitive to oxygen, the samples exposed in air convert to an amorphous phase and Yb₂O₃ compound.