Electron energy loss spectra of C60 and C70 fullerenes

The electron energy loss spectra of C60 and C70 fullerenes are investigated using spectroscopy measurements and theoretical calculations. An additional peak has been identified for C70 above the carbon K-edge onset from our high-resolution electron energy loss spectra and analysed by density functional theory. Good agreement between theory and experiment is obtained, and the additional peak is found to be due to the electronic states associated with the 10 equatorial atoms in C70.