Fullerol-sensitized production of reactive oxygen species in aqueous solution.

The relative production rate of reactive oxygen in aqueous solution sensitized by fullerol (a polyhydroxylated, water-soluble form of the fullerene C60) was measured and compared to known reactive oxygen sensitizers using an oxygen consumption method. The solutions were irradiated by polychromatic visible and ultraviolet light. Reactive oxygen species were generated under both visible and ultraviolet light sources. The greatest rates of oxygen consumption were observed at acidic pH. We show for the first time evidence of both singlet oxygen and superoxide production by fullerol under both UV and polychromatic light sources.