Fullerenes as precursors for nanocapsule formation

Abstract

We have shown that Ni metal particles when melted in the presence of C₆₀ form graphitic layers around themselves with the Ni remaining as pure metal and without any evidence of carbide formation. We have successfully encapsulated particles over several orders of magnitude of size from ～10 nm to several microns. The process has been observed taking place in real time using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The process was not observed when graphite powder was used instead of C₆₀ powder and the Ni similarly heated to melting point, using the electron beam. Heating a mixture of Ni and C₆₀ powders together in a conventional manner also produced encapsulated Ni particles. This suggests that the encapsulation method is thermal in nature although the electron beam does offer the ability to control the process for individual particles. Further research has shown that the encapsulation process can also occur at temperatures as low as 800° C by a catalytic route. We have extended the work of heating a metal in the presence of fullerenes and have effectively encapsulated other metals such as Fe, Co, Ho, Cu and Au.     

Investigations of the Interaction of Nickel and Carbon Monoxide with Solid Films of C60 and C70 by UV and X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy

Based on UV and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, it is shown that nickel metal clusters deposited on solid C₆₀ and C₇₀ films cause marked changes in the valence band spectra. In addition, the C 1s core-level of the fullerenes shift to lower binding energies while the Ni 2p_3/2 core level shifts towards higher binding energies, especially at small metal coverages. These observations signify the occurrence of charge-transfer from the nickel metal to the fullerene. We also show that CO adsorbs weakly on C₆₀ and C₇₀ surfaces.     

Electron Microscopic Investigations of Transformations from C60 to Diamond, Filament and Microcapillary

We report the transformation of C₆₀ into diamond by electron beam pulse annealing of flash evaporated films (at 10^-6 torr) of C,₆₀, or by direct evaporation of C₆₀ in helium (100 torr) atmosphere. The formation of filament and microcapillaries (tubulene-like structures) by electron beam annealing of the C₆₀ deposit is also reported.     

Structural Characterization of the New Fullerene-Rare Gas Compound Ar1C60

We communicate how C₆₀ Hot Isostatically Pressed (HIPed) at 200° or 400°C with a pressure of 1.7 kbar of Ar produces the new fullerene-rare gas compound Ar₁C₆₀. We have shown, using Xray powder diffraction and subsequent Rietveld analysis, that this solid can be characterised stoichiometrically as Ar₁C_60- The stoichiometry has also been confirmed by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) showing 5% by weight to be Ar (expected=5.25%). The presence of Ar is confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). This material is found to be remarkably stable to loss of Ar over several weeks at room temperature. This represents the first full characterisation of an interstitial rare gas fullerene compound.     

Thermally Activated Decay Processes of Isolated Superhot C60 in Molecular Beams

We have studied thermally activated decay processes of an ensemble of isolated superhot C₆₀ molecules in molecular beams by several different methods. Highly vibrationally excited C₆₀ molecules in effusive or supersonic beams (with average vibrational energy of 10-20 eV) were generated in an all ceramic, two-stage high temperature nozzle source. the decay kinetics due to various decay processes of the initially canonical ensemble was followed by a mass spectrometric methods for a large range of initial temperatures (T_o=1100 - 1950 K). the processes studied are: (1) fragmentation (C₂ emission) of the neutral C₆₀ (2) C₂ emission from the C⁺₆₀ ions (3) black-body like radiative cooling, and (4) delayed electron emission. the experiments described here are: (a) Depletion of the integrated C₆₀ flux. (b) Analysis of C₆₀ time-of-flight distributions. (c) Dependence of electron impact induced ionization/ fragmentation of C₆₀ upon its initial thermal excitation, and (d) Thermal energy dependence of delayed electron emission. It is shown that thermal kinetics models using a single set of independently measured parameters uniquely reproduce all the experimental observations. the models take into account the different cooling processes and their time evolution. We analyze in detail the evolution of the initially canonical vibrational energy distribution during the flight time to the detector as it is gradually being distorted due to evaporative and radiative cooling mechanisms. It is concluded that the correct parameters to be used for describing the thermally activated decay kinetics of superhot C₆₀ are activation energy of E_o = 4.3 - 4.8 eV for the neutral fragmentation channel C₆₀ → C₅₈ + C₂ and E₁=4.0 - 4.3 for the ion fragmentation channel C⁺₆₀→ C⁺₅₈ + C₂, and corresponding pre-exponential factors of A_o = A₁ = 2.5 × 10¹³ sec^-1. the emissivity coefficient for black body like radiation was found to be ε = 4.5 × 10^-5.     

Gas Storage in Fullerenes

Fullerenes and in particular C₆₀ have been shown to store effectively a wide range of gases from simple monatomic rare gases to diatomics and polyatomics. A review of the research in this area conducted at ANSTO is given. The trapping of Ar, Kr, Xe, and CO₂ are discussed in detail whilst preliminary results pertaining to N₂O, CH₄, CF₄, C₂H₆ and SF₆ are also reported. A range of techniques have been used to elucidate both the structure of the new fullerene intercalated solid and the trapped gas itself. The preponderant techniques used, include infra-red absorption spectroscopy (IR), X-ray powder diffraction a (XRD), neutron powder diffraction (NRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA).     

Synthesis of fullerenes from carbon powder by using high power induction thermal plasma

Radio frequency (rf) inductively coupled thermal plasma (ICTP) was used to fabricate fullerenes (C₆₀,C₇₀, etc.) by direct evaporation of carbon powder injected into the plasma. Spectroscopic observation of the plasma was made for molecular band spectra of C₂ and atomic lines of C. The formation of fullerenes C₆₀ and C₇₀ as well as higher fullerenes were checked and recognized by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TFMS). The suitable conditions for the synthesis of fullerenes within the experimental conditions adopted were 10-kPa plasma pressure, with a considerably higher flow rate of approximately 150 l/min for mixed-gas condition of Ar, He and CO₂, with carbon powder of average diameter 20 μm. The results showed that the productivity of fullerenes has a relation to the intensity of C₂ molecular and C atomic spectra from the induction plasma. Mixing of Si with C particles has a kind of role in enhancing the synthesis rate of fullerenes C₆₀, as well as the higher order fullerenes.     

Growth and Characterization of C60 Crystals from Pure C60 and Fullerite

Good quality C₆₀ crystals have been grown from high purity C₆₀ powder and fullerene mixture (C₆₀/C₇₀) by vacuum sublimation method. The grown crystals were characterized with Optical microscopy, SEM, powder XRD, High Performance Liquid Chromatography and Raman spectroscopic analyses.     

C60 and Giant Fullerenes in Soot Condensed in Vapors with Variable C/H2 Ratio

A transmission electron microscope (TEM) study of individual soot grains forming fluffy carbon particles produced using the arc-discharge technique revealed close-packed arrangements of single-wall ring structures with average diameters of 0.7, 1.1, 3.0, 5.5, and 8.2 nm. These structures were hypothesized to be C₆₀ and giant, C₅₄₀, C₉₆₀, and C₁₅₀₀, fullerenes that could form by coalescence during condensation and soot agglomeration, although in situ solid-state growth cannot be excluded. Mass spectroscopy and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) chromatography of the samples confirmed the presence of C₆₀ fullerene in all samples giving confidence to the giant fullerene growth scenario. Our results suggest that fullerenes could be common in soot grains produced by this technique as well as being an important carbon phase in C-rich accretion disks around young stellar objects and among the dust in the interstellar medium.     

Molecular Dynamics of C60 and Its Complexes in the Electronic and Vibrational Spectroscopies

We have summarized the results of studies of the molecular dynamics of C₆₀ and its complexes by electron and vibrational spectroscopies. It was shown that the spectral methods are an important probe of the symmetry, bonding and dynamics of the fullerene molecules, as well as of the fullerite and the C₆₀-derived fullerides.     

The Effects of Radicals on the Formation of Fullerene Ions in Laser Desorption Studies of C60 Adducts

We have studied the fragmentation and aggregation of C₆₀ and its radical adducts R_nC₆₀ by laser-desorption TOF mass spectrometry in the positive and negative ion channels. The mechanism of the formation of daughter fullerenes in the negative ion channel and the enhancement of fullerene aggregation products have been discussed. We consider that the electron transfer process between neutral cage-like clusters and the radicals is responsible for the appearance of strong mass peaks of daughter fullerene anions in the case of C₆₀ radical adducts. The effects of the radicals on the fullerene aggregation process have been discussed.     

Synthesis of Fullerenols from Halofullerenes

Halogenated fullerenes were used as reagents to prepare fullerenols. Depending on reaction conditions two types of substances (complex mixtures of products with average compositions C₆₀O_nH_m, n=10-26, m=14-30 and C₆₀O_nH_mM_k, M=K, Na; n=17-24, m=16-28, k=3-8) possessing essentially different water solubility were obtained. Highly soluble metal-containing species are most likely ionic compounds similar to metal derivatives of alcohols-alcoholates. An electron withdrawing effect of the carbon cage could make alkali metal fullerenolates (C₆₀(OH)_x(OM)_y) inert towards hydrolysis. Halogens were selectively substituted when fullerene bromides and chlorides were treated with silver trifluoroacetate. Fullerenol esters C₆₀(OOCCF₃)_n formed were then hydrolyzed to form C₆₀(OOCCF₃)_x(OH)_y. Attempts to cleave all ester groups in C₆₀(OOCCF₃)_x(OH)_y failed in acidic media, while alkaline hydrolysis was accompanied by unselective polyhydroxylation of the fullerene cage.     

Metal-C60 Interface Interaction: Effects on Metal Dispersion in Co-Deposited Films

In case of a metal finely dispersed in a C₆₀ matrix, the metal-to-C₆₀ charge transfer lowers the interface energy. The total cohesive energy per metal atom E_tot was estimated for Au clusters in fullerite. The results show that, for a charge Q_f ≥ 1 electron (e) transferred from the metal clusters to each C₆₀ cage, a minimum appears in E_tot, defining a most stable cluster size. Thereby, the equilibrium dispersion state of the metal in the fullerite matrix depends on Q_f.     

Fullerane, the Hydrogenated C60 Fullerene: Properties and Astrochemical Considerations

Hydrogenated C₆₀ fullerene, C₆₀H₃₆ was prepared in different solvents using Zn/HCl as reducing agents. The structure of C₆₀H₃₆ was confirmed both by electronic and FT-IR spectroscopy and the purity of the reaction product was checked by HPLC analysis. It has been confirmed that C₆₀H₃₆ is not stable in air, especially in presence of light which enhances the oxidation. The oxidation of C₆₀H₃₆ was studied by FT-IR spectroscopy and by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) in air; the formation of hydroxyl groups on the fullerene cage and ketonic groups (involving cage breakdown) have been detected. Furthermore, the action of O₃ on C₆₀H₃₆ was investigated and it has been found that O₃ exerts practically the same effect of air but causing an enhanced cage breakdown. The thermal stability of C₆₀H₃₆ was checked by a thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) coupled with a differential thermal analysis (DTA) under N₂ flow. The vaporization of C₆₀H₃₆ occurs at very high temperature: the DTA trace has shown an endothermic peak at 540°C (at a heating rate of 20°C/min). C₆₀H₃₆ shows an electronic absorption spectrum with a maximum at about 217 nm and it is able to match both in position and in half width the peak at 217.5 nm observed in the spectrum of the interstellar extinction of light which was attributed to hydrogenated, radiation processed and thermally annealed carbon dust. Similarly, the absorption spectrum of C₆₀H₃₆ is able to match several infrared emission bands (called UIBs) detected from certain astrophysical objects like the protoplanetary nebulae (PPNe). It is proposed that hydrogenated fullerenes can be used as model compounds in the laboratory simulation studies of interstellar carbon dust.     

Charge Transfer in Fullerene-Conducting Polymer Compositex: Electronic and Excitonic Properties

C₆₀ doping into conducting polymer with highly extended π-electron system in the main chain induces remarkable quenching of photoluminescence in conducting polymer and drastic enhancement of photoconductivity. These results can be explained in terms of photo-induced charge transfer between conducting polymer and C₆₀. That is, photoexcited excitons or exciton-polarons on conducting polymer are effectively dissociated at C₆₀ molecules transferring electrons to C₆₀. Photoexcitation of C₆₀ results in the transfer of hole from C₆₀ to conducting polymer. These novel C₆₀ doping effects have been observed not only in conducting polymers with non-degenerated ground state structures but also those with degenerated ground state structure such as di-substituted acetylene polymers with solitonic electronic systems.

Highly effective photo-induced charge transfer has been also observed in conducting polymer/C₆₀ heterojunctions, which are interpreted as donor (D)-acceptor (A) photocell. Based on this finding we have demonstrated an organic photovoltaic cell with D-A double heterojunction, Al/C₆₀/OEP/conducting polymer/TTO, in which OEP is octaethylporphine as an light absorbing antenna molecule. Novel characteristics have also been observed in various other junction devices utilizing C₆₀ doped conducting polymer.

Granular and multiphase superconductivity has been found in C₆₀-conducting polymer-alkali metal composites.

Effect of other type of fullerenes such as C₇₀, modified C₆₀ and C₆₀ polymers, and also effect of C₆₀ doping in polysilanes and their derivatives have also been studied.     

HPLC Diode-Array Analysis of C60 and C70 Polymeric Fullerene Oxides (Fullerene Polymeric Ozonides)

It is shown by HPLC diode-array analysis that the C₆₀ and C₇₀ polymeric fullerene oxides ([C₆₀]-PFOs and [C₇₀]-PFOs) which are polymeric ozonides, are composed by nine different components. The ozonide derivatives of C₆₀ and C₇₀ have been proved to be practically analogous in chemical structure and composition. The most important component of both [C₆₀]-PFOs and [C₇₀]-PFOs accounts for about 3/4 of each sample. The overozonation of [C₆₀]-PFOs in methanol has been studied and shown to not produce any significant changes.     

Characterization of Fullerenes Obtained from Boron Nitrite Containing Graphite Electrodes: Electronic Structure of C60-X-YBXNY and Deformed C60

The electronic structure of C₆₀ molecules with carbon substituted by other elements such as boron or nitrogen has been calculated for molecules in the singlet state with even number of electrons. Therefore, in the case of boron and nitrogen substituents, calculations have been performed for ionized molecules. The results obtained from our density functional calculations prove than in the C_60-x-yB_xN_y molecules both HOMO and LUMO levels are split due to the lower symmetry of the molecule Influence of deformation of C₆₀ molecules on electronic states, which is interesting because fullerenes may undergo deformation in solvate crystals, is also shown These C₅₉B and C₅₉N, as well as C₅₈BN molecules are of special interest because samples containing such species can be prepared The Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) in those samples differs from the results obtained in pure C₆₀ samples, it consists of several lines which are very sensitive to the temperature.     

Raman Spectroscopy of the Charge Transfer Complex (TTF)x C60 Br8

We report Raman studies on powder samples of the charge transfer complex (TTF)_x C₆₀Br₈ at room temperature. The phonons show considerable softening with respect to the frequencies observed in the Raman spectrum of solid C₆₀ Brg. The strongest mode at 1464 cm^-1 in C₆₀Br₈ is red shifted to a doublet with peaks at 1414 and 1421 cm^-1, implying an average phonon softening Δω of -47 cm^-1. A comparison with the phonon softening of the corresponding A_g(2) mode in alkali-doped C₆₀ (Δω ~ - 36 cm^-1 for A₆C₆₀, A = K, Rb or Cs) suggests that 8 electrons are transferred per C₆₀Br₈ molecule in the charge transfer complex. The mode at 503 cm_--1 in C₆₀Br₈ is shifted upwards, similar to that in A₆ C₆₀ compounds.     

Computations of metal-covered C60 and C70

Semiempirical quantum-chemical PM3 calculations are reported for a new class of exohedral metallo-fullerenes – metal-coated or metal-covered fullerenes: C₆₀M_n and C₇₀M_n. The exohedral species have been observed in gas phase, however, their geometrical and electronic structures are not known yet. Relatively-even metal-atom distributions over the fullerene rings are considered – such regular forms are computed for M = Be, Mg, Al. Three selected types of stoichiometries are treated in particular: C₆₀M₁₂/C₇₀M₁₂ (metal atoms above all pentagons), C₆₀M₂₀/C₇₀M₂₅ (metal atoms above all hexagons), and C₆₀M₃₂/C₇₀M₃₇ (metal atoms above all rings). If an odd number of electrons should result (Al), the related cation is computed, or one metal atom added or removed. This interesting arrangement above the rings is possible only for some types of atoms, while other elements are localized above bonds or atoms, or inside the cage, or even react and destroy the cage. Other limitation comes from the parametrization of the computational technique used – the PM3 semiempirical method is parametrized only for some selected metals. Metal-layer atomization heats are suggested as a stability measure. Structural characteristics are also presented and interesting reductions of the cage symmetry are found. Their relationship to Jahn–Teller effect is discussed. The metal covered fullerenes can represent models for metal catalysis in the nanotube synthesis and could eventually lead to new interesting materials.     

Investigation of Iron-Fullerene Mixture Plasmas in ECR Discharge

Fullerene+iron (C₆₀+Fe) mixture plasmas were produced and studied in the ECR ion source of ATOMKI. The two main components of the plasma were obtained by different filament ovens. In this series of measurements we concentrated on the maximum ratio of C₅₈ (damaged fullerene) in the plasma. C₅₈ is less stable than C₆₀ and the probability to form new materials is higher. Using this method we produced molecules of mass M=752 both in single- and double-charged states with beam intensities of 8 · 10^-10A and 2 · 10^-10A, respectively. We identified this beam as a mixture of FeC₅₈, O₂C₆₀ and CO₂C₅₉, while the experiment did not give information on the exact location of the iron and oxygen in the carbon ball.