RUI: Selective Synthesis, Chemical Purification, and Characterization of a New Family of Nanotubular Fullerenes

Purdue University, West Lafayette IN

Investigators

Abstract

In this project funded by the Chemical Structure, Dynamic & Mechanism B Program of the Chemistry Division, Professor Steven Stevenson of the Department of Chemistry at Purdue University Fort Wayne uses his newly discovered chemical separation approach to isolate and characterize new tubular-shaped carbon molecules that are part fullerene and part nanotube. Referred to as FullerTubes, these fullerene-capped miniaturized single wall carbon nanotubes are largely unexplored with few literature reports. These unusual FullerTubes have potential applications in photovoltaics, heat transfer, medicine, and electronics. Professor Stevenson sends isolated Fullertubes to collaborative institutions to leverage NSF resources. Other broader impacts include high school research internships, early undergraduate students, inclusion of non-majors, and participation of underrepresented groups in his research. As preliminary data, the PI has isolated three fullertubes using a selective chemical reaction that recognizes and separates tubular from spheroidal shaped carbon structures. The reactivity differences are attributed to the more inert ring junctions located on the belt region of the fullertubes. In the 1st objective, this group will selectively target the synthesis of fullertubes and suppress the formation of conventional spheroidal fullerene contaminants that would otherwise dominate. The 2nd objective is to chemically differentiate between spheroidal fullerenes and nanotubular shaped fullertubes. In the 3rd objective, collaborative research opportunities with other universities will be explored. These collaborative efforts include vibrational spectroscopy, EPR, spectroelectrochemistry, photophysics, X-ray crystallography, magnetic resonance, theoretical calculations, formation mechanism studies, and functionalization to make derivatives. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.