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.     

Low temperature metal oxide film deposition and reaction kinetics in supercritical carbon dioxide

An effective method is developed for low temperature metal oxide deposition through thermal decomposition of metal diketonates in supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO₂) solvent. The rates of Al(acac)₃ (Aluminum acetyl acetonate) and Ga(acac)₃ (Gallium acetyl acetonate) thermal decomposition in scCO₂ to form conformal Al₂O₃ and Ga₂O₃ thin films on planar surfaces were investigated. The thermal decomposition reaction of Al(acac)₃ and Ga(acac)₃ was found to be initialized at  150 °C and 160 °C respectively in scCO₂ solvent, compared to  250 °C and 360 °C in analogous vacuum-based processes. By measuring the temperature dependence of the growth rates of metal oxide thin films, the apparent activation energy for the thermal decomposition of Al(acac)₃ in scCO₂ is found to be 68 ± 6 kJ/mol, in comparison with 80–100 kJ/mol observed for the corresponding vacuum-based thermal decomposition reaction. The enhanced thermal decomposition rate in scCO₂ is ascribed to the high density solvent which effectively reduces the energy of the polar transition states in the reaction pathway. Preliminary results of thin film deposition of other metal oxides including ZrO_x, FeO_x, Co₂O₃, Cr₂O₃, HfO_x from thermal decomposition of metal diketonates or fluorinated diketonates in scCO₂ are also presented.     

C1 C60F16O: A Fluorofullerene Ether Having Exceptionally Long Chromatographic Retention

From the product of fluorination of [60]fullerene with K₂PtF₆ at 470 °C, we have isolated a small quantity (ca. 0.5 mg) of C₆₀F₁₆O, an oxahomofluorofullerene (ether) of exceptionally long HPLC retention time (50% greater than any other known fluorofullerene). The ¹⁹F NMR spectrum consists of 16 main lines and 8 minor ones, due to C₆₀F₁₆O (a single isomer of C₁ symmetry) and C₆₀F₁₆, respectively. The presence of the latter (absent on initial isolation) indicates this ether to be relatively unstable, confirmed by the failure to obtain an EI mass spectrum. The empirical formula was therefore determined by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry in the negative-ion mode, the laser fluence being carefully adjusted at the threshold of ion formation, whence the only observable signal corresponded to the molecular ion of C₆₀F₁₆O. At slightly higher laser fluence, the base peak of C₆₀F₁₆O^·- is accompanied by C₆₀F₁₆^·- and C₆₀F₁₅O^·-. Two closely similar structures (of similar calculated stabilities) are fully consistent with the NMR data. Calculated dipole moments and the exceptionally long retention HPLC retention times suggest that both C₆₀F₁₆ and C₆₀F₁₆O may be dimers.     

Reaction Kinetics of C60 Fullerene Ozonation

It has been verified that the reaction between O₃ and C₆₀ follows the general second order reaction rate which is valid for all the reactions between ozone and unsaturated olefinic bonds: v = k[C=C][O₃]. The reaction rate constant k has been measured ≈(1.5 ± 0.3) × 10⁴ L mol^-1 s^-1. The value of this rate constant has the same order of magnitude of the rate constant measured for instance in the ozonation of 1,4-diphenylbutadiene.     

Pyrolytic Trifluoromethylation of [76]-, [78]-, [84]-, and Aza[60]Fullerenes with Silver Trifluoroacetate; Evidence for Coordination of Fullerenes to Silver

Pyrolytic trifluoromethylation of [76], [78], [84], and aza[60]fullerenes with silver trifluoroacetate at 300°C results in extensive polyaddition of up to 18, 18, 20 and 20 CF₃ groups, respectively. In contrast to trifluoromethylation of [60]- and [70]fullerenes that give a full range of derivatives ranging upwards from C_n(CF₃)₂, [76]-, [78]-, and [84]-fullerenes only give C_n(CF₃)_6-18 derivatives, largely in the 10-12 CF₃ range; reaction with [76]fullerene is accompanied by formation of C₆₀(CF₃)₆ attributed to cage fragmentation. For aza[60]fullerene the hexa-addition level dominates, in contrast to its other reactions which give predominantly penta-addition products. All the compounds showed peaks at 1256±2 and 1180-1190 cm^-1, due to the CF₃ group, and peaks in this region are shown also by the soluble extract obtained on trifluoromethylation of nanotubes. As in trifluoromethylation of [60]- and [70]-fullerenes, the products obtained initially are involatile, attributed to formation os silver complexes; these are decomposed on subsequent solution in toluene. Mixed isomeric trifluoromethylated C₆₀F₈ derivatives viz. C₆₀F₇CF₃, C₆₀F₆(FG₃)₂, C₆₀F₅(CF₃)₃ and C₆₀F₄(CF₃)₄, and C₆₀F₄CF₃CF₂CF₃ (a C₆₀F₆ derivative) have been isolated from fluorination of [60]fullerene with MnF₃/K₂NilF₆ at 510°C.     

Chemical vapour deposition of praseodymium oxide films on silicon: influence of temperature and oxygen pressure

Metal-organic chemical vapour deposition (MOCVD) of various phases in PrO_x system has been studied in relation with deposition temperature (450–750 °C) and oxygen partial pressure (0.027–100 Pa or 0.2–750 mTorr). Depositions were carried out by pulsed liquid injection MOCVD using Pr(thd)₃ (thd = 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptanedionate) precursor dissolved in toluene or monoglyme. By varying deposition temperature and oxygen partial pressure amorphous films or various crystalline PrO_x phases (Pr₂O₃, Pr₇O₁₂, Pr₆O₁₁) and their mixtures can be grown. The pure crystalline Pr₂O₃ phase grows only in a narrow range of partial oxygen pressure and temperature, while high oxygen pressure (40–100 Pa) always leads to the most stable Pr₆O₁₁ phase. The influence of annealing under vacuum at 750 °C on film phase composition was also studied. Near 90% step coverage conformity was achieved for PrO_x films on structured silicon substrates with aspect ratio 1:10. In air degradation of Pr₂O₃ films with transformation to Pr(OH)₃ was observed in contrast to Pr₆O₁₁ films.     

Controllable formation of Er–Yb codoped Al2O3 films by the non-aqueous sol–gel method

1 mol%Er³⁺–10 mol%Yb³⁺ codoped Al₂O₃ thin films have been prepared on thermally oxidized SiO₂/Si(110) substrates by a dip-coating process in the non-aqueous sol–gel method from the hydrolysis of aluminum isopropoxide [Al(OC₃H₇)₃] under isopropanol environment. Addition of N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) as a drying control chemical additive (DCCA) into the sol suppresses formation of the cracks in the Er³⁺–Yb³⁺ codoped Al₂O₃ thin films when the rare-earth ion is doped with a high doping concentration. Homogeneous, smooth and crack-free Er³⁺–Yb³⁺ codoped Al₂O₃ thin films form at the conditions by a molar ratio of 1:1 for DMF:Al(OC₃H₇)₃. A strong photoluminescence spectrum with a broadband extending from 1.400 to 1.700 µm centered at 1.533 µm is obtained for the Er³⁺–Yb³⁺ codoped Al₂O₃ thin films, which is unrelated to the addition of DMF. Controllable formation of the Er³⁺–Yb³⁺ codoped Al₂O₃ thin films may be explained by the fact that the DMF assisted the deprotonation process of Al–OH at the surfaces of gel particles, resulting in enhancement of the degree of polymerization of sols and improvement of the mechanical properties of gel thin films.     

Ionic Conductivity and Mechanical Properties of Post-HIPed Cubic Zirconia/Alumina Composites

8 mol.% yttria-doped cubic zirconia (8Y-CSZ)/AI₂O₃ composites containing 0-30 vol.% Al₂O₃ particles were fabricated by sintering, followed by hot isostatic pressing (post-HIPing). All composites were densified to at least 99·5% of the theoretical density by post-HIPing. The bending strength of composites sintered at 1500°C in air was independent of A1₂O₃ content, but a significant improvement in the bending strength was achieved by the post-HIPing technique. The bending strength and the fracture toughness of the HIPed composites increased with increasing A1₂O₃ content. Ionic conductivity of the composites was evaluated and the total, lattice, and grain boundary conductivities slightly decreased with increasing A1₂O₃ content. The HIPed composites containing up to 20 vol.% A1₂0₃ appear to be suitable candidate materials as electrolyte for solid oxygen fuel cell.     

Electronic Structure of C60, CuPc, and C60/CuPc Nanoparticles and their Layers

The idea to form C₆₀/CuPc dispersed nanoheterojunctions by photoexcitation of a mixture of C₆₀ and CuPc nanoparticles has been realized. The electronic structure of the nanoparticles and dispersed nanoheterojunctions formed in the mixture has been characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy and the comparing with known experimental ultraviolet photoelectron spectra and theoretical models of electronic structure of these molecules. For the mixture of C₆₀ and CuPc nanoparticles in toluene and their coating layer on the quartz substrate the band offsets of the edges of CuPc VB and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) of C₆₀ band are ΔE=1.55 eV and 1.4 eV, respectively. These results show clearly the presence of C₆₀/CuPc dispersed nanoheterojunctions in the solution and on the quartz surface.     

ISOLATION AND CHARACTERISATION OF C60(CF3)2

From the products of reactions of [60]fullerene with either K₂PtF₆ at 470 °C or AgF at 520 °C, we have isolated C₆₀(CF₃)₂, the simplest trifluoromethylfullerene, which gives a single ¹⁹F NMR line at -69.5 ppm. The HPLC retention time is less than that of C₆₀F₂ confirming the trend observed for other fluoro- vs. trifluoromethylfullerenes namely that the latter elute more rapidly. Other trifluoromethyl- containing species, C₆₀(CF₃)₄O, C₆₀F₅CF₃, C₆₀(CF₃)₄H₂, C₆₀(CF₃)₆H₂, and C₆₀(CF₃H)₃ were detected in the product mixture.     

Thermodynamic Properties and Hydrogen Accumulation Ability of Fullerene Hydride C60H36

Thermodynamic properties of fullerene hydride C₆₀H₃₆ in the ideal-gas and crystal states were studied by theoretical methods. Molecular structures and vibration frequencies were calculated for 9 isomers of C₆₀H₃₆ by the density functional theory (DFT) by use of a combination of the B3LYP functional with 6-31G* basis sets. Ideal-gas thermodynamic properties were calculated based on those parameters. Enthalpies of formation of C₆₀H₃₆ isomers in the ideal-gas state were derived from homodesmic reactions involving adamantane, cyclohexane, and C₆₀ fullerene. Using the standard methods of statistical mechanics, heat capacity and derived thermodynamic properties of crystalline C₆₀H₃₆ were calculated at 340-1000 K that extended the range of experimental measurements. With a crystal-gas heat capacity difference, the experimental value of sublimation enthalpy was extrapolated to room temperature as Δ_subH_m^o (298.15 K)=(193±10) kJ · mol^-1. Combining this value with the known experimental enthalpy of formation in the crystalline state, the ideal-gas enthalpy of formation of C₆₀H₃₆ at the synthesized sample isomer composition was obtained: Δ_f H_m^o (298.15 K)=(1206±28) kJ · mol^-1. Equilibrium constants and compositions were calculated for the reactions of hydrogenation of C₆₀ fullerene in different states. It was shown that C₆₀ can act as a hydrogen accumulator.     

Energy Transfer from Photoexcited State of Water Soluble Hexa(Sulfobutyl)fullerene (C60((CH2)4SO3Na)6)

Photophysical properties and reactivities of water-soluble micelle-like C₆₀ derivative, C₆₀((CH₂)₄SO₃Na)₆ (abbreviated as FC₄S), at the excited triplet state were investigated using laser flash photolysis. A new transient absorption band appearing at ca. 700 nm was attributed to the triplet-triplet (T-T) absorption band of FC₄S. This absorption was quenched by O₂ via energy transfer forming singlet oxygen, which was confirmed by its luminescence emission band; the quantum yield was evaluated to be 0.36.     

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.     

A STUDY ON THE THERMAL STABILITY TO 1000°C OF VARIOUS CARBON ALLOTROPES AND CARBONACEOUS MATTER BOTH UNDER NITROGEN AND IN AIR

The thermal behavior of graphite, C₆₀ fullerene, fullerene black (carbon soot containing fullerenes), extracted fullerene black and diamond has been analyzed to 1000°C by TGA-DTA (thermogravimetric analysis and differential thermal analysis) under a nitrogen flow at a heating rate of 20°C/min. Very small weight losses have been recorded in the case of graphite and diamond. Furthermore no diamond graphitization has been observed. The sublimation of pure C₆₀ and the fullerene fraction of fullerene black (both pristine and extracted) has been observed and discussed.

The combustion reaction in air flow of graphite, C₆₀ and C₇₀ fullerenes, fullerene black (both unextracted and extracted), carbon nanotubes and diamond has been studied by TGA-DTA at a heating rate of 20°C/min. C₇₀ fullerene and fullerene black have been found to be the most reactive carbon materials with O₂. The role played by C₇₀ in the degradation of fullerites has been discussed. Among the carbon materials examined, the best resistance to O₂ attack has been shown by diamond and carbon nanotubes. The behavior of graphite is intermediate between diamond and fullerene blacks. The behavior of C₆₀ fullerene appears closer to that of graphite although it appears to be more reactive with O₂. Samples of graphite and carbon blacks N375 and N234 have been studied by TGA-DTA in air flow before and after a radiation treatment with neutrons or γ radiation. The effect of the radiation damage in the combustion reaction of these carbon materials has been discussed.     

On the Nature of Interaction Between Fullerene and Aniline

Interaction between fullerene C₆₀ and N,N-dialkyl-substituted anilines was studied by gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) and titration calorimetry. The GLC study was performed at 140-200°C in the poly(tetramethylbenzene) solvent with ultra-high solubility of C₆₀. No interaction of the C₆₀-aniline type was registered under such conditions. Calorimetric titration performed at 25°C in a non-aromatic solvent confirmed the lack of complex formation. Minute exoeffect registered is explained by suppressing of the rotation motion of the C₆₀ molecules accompanied by energy dissipation for the aniline environment.     

Ozone Reaction with C70 and C60 Fullerenes: The Effect of Temperature on the Reaction Kinetics

It has been confirmed that the effect of temperature on the rate constants (k) of ozone reaction with C₇₀ and C₆₀ fullerenes follows the Arrhenius law. The experimental values of activation energy (E_a) and pre-exponential factor (A), like as those of other simple alkenes, are in the order of 2.4-2.6 kcal mol^-1 and (1.2-1.8) × 10⁷ L mol^-1 sec^-1, respectively. They are practically equal for the both fullerenes. It has also been found that the value of the rate constant k of C₇₀ fullerene ozonolysis is higher in comparison to the respective k-value of C₆₀.     

苯胺-SrTi(C2O4)2颗粒制备及其电流变性能

用沉淀法制备了苯胺-草酸氧钛锶（SrTi（C₂O₄）₂）颗粒。FTIR分析表明,苯胺已引入到SrTi（C₂O₄）₂颗粒的表面;XRD分析表明,苯胺-SrTi（C₂O₄）₂颗粒为含少量结晶的无定形态。采用SEM观察颗粒的形貌,结果表明,随反应体系中苯胺与钛原子物质的量比n_aniline/n_Ti的增大,苯胺-SrTi（C₂O₄）₂颗粒由近似球状（n_aniline/n_Ti =0）变为多面体状（n_aniline/n_Ti =2）,而后变为棒状与团簇状颗粒的混合体系（n_aniline/n_Ti =3）。以苯胺-SrTi（C₂O₄）₂颗粒为分散相制备颗粒质量分数为66.7%电流变液,电流变性能测试结果表明,在n_aniline/n_Ti =2时,电流变液具有较高的剪切应力和剪切屈服强度、较大的漏电流密度。苯胺在颗粒制备过程中起控制颗粒形貌的作用,在电流变液体系中起极性分子的作用,其对苯胺-SrTi（C₂O₄）₂电流变液性能的影响是两种效应综合作用的结果。     

A three-step process for epitaxial growth of (111)-oriented C60 films on alkali–halide substrates

Epitaxial (111)-oriented C₆₀ films have been grown on alkali–halide substrates, KCl (100), KBr (100) and NaCl (100) by a three-step process: (1), substrate surface cleaning by high temperature heating; (2), initial deposition with a low deposition rate to grow two or three monolayers (ML); and (3), deposition with a high deposition rate to grow a film with expected thickness. It was found that (111)-oriented epitaxial C₆₀ films could be grown at low temperatures in a wide temperature range, from 40 to 120°C. By this three-step process, we can also grow epitaxial C₆₀ films at deposition rates as high as 35 Å/min.     

Why are Solutions of C60-Piperazine Purple at pH 11?

The C₆₀-piperazine mono adduct was synthesized by the reaction of C₆₀ and piperazine. The saturated C₆₀-piperazine aqueous solution was colorless when pH is 8 or below. A purple color was developed when pH is around 9 and the pink color is most intense at pH 11. The color of the C₆₀-piperazine solution fades out when pH is approaching 12 from 11, and the solution remains colorless when pH is 13 or higher. The UV-Vis spectra of the C₆₀-piperazine solution were recorded at pH 4, 11 and 14. The mono-protonated C₆₀-piperazine was identified to be responsible for the purple color observed. The computational investigation of the un-protonated, mono-protonated and di-protonated C₆₀-piperazine was conducted at the PM3 and ZINDO(s) levels of theory. Vibronic coupling of the Jahn-Teller active vibrational mode to the electronic transition was applied to re-generate the weak absorption between 550-600 nm in the UV-Vis spectrum of the mono-protonated C₆₀-piperazine.     

Arylation of [60]Fullerene with Br2/FeCl3/PhH: Formation of C58 Derivatives via CO Loss

Heating a mixture of [60]fullerene, bromine, ferric chloride and benzene under reflux for 24 h products a range of phenylated [60]fullerene derivatives. The main product is C₆₀Ph₅H but other components identified by mass spectrometry (and in some cases separated by HPLC) are: C_6oPh_n(n = 4, 6, 8, 10, 12), C₆₀Ph_nO₂(n = 4, 6, 8, 10, 12), C₆₀Ph_nOH (n = 7, 9, 11), C₆₀Ph_nH₂ (n = 4, 10), C₆₀Ph₄H₄, C₆₀Ph₅H₃, C₆₀Ph_n0₂H (n = 5, 9), C₆₀Ph₄C₆H₄O₂, C₆₀Ph₉OH₃, and C₆₀Ph₁₁ O₃H₂. In the corresponding reaction with toluene, the crude reaction mixture contained C₆₀(MeC₆H₄)₄ as a main product; C₆₀(ClC₆H₄)₅H was obtained from the reaction with chlorobenzene. Formation of these derivatives is believed to involve radical bromination of the fullerene, followed by electrophilic substitution of the hatogenofullerene into the aromatic, accompanied in some case by hydrolysis, elimination and epoxide formation; oxidation may also introduce ketone/dioxetane functionality. The EI mass spectra of C₆₀Ph₄O₂ and C₆₀Ph₈O₂show degradation to C₅₈Ph_n (n = 0-8), having structures believed to be related to the pseudofollerenes C₆₈Ph_n (n = 0-8) reported recently. These results suggest that some derivatisations of fullerenes confer stability, due to the relief of strain.