Bucky-corn: van der Waals composite of carbon nanotube coated by fullerenes

ABSTRACT

Can a C₆₀ layer cover a surface of single-wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT) forming an exohedral pure-carbon hybrid with only van der Waals interactions? The aim of the present paper is to address this question and to demonstrate that the fullerene shell layer in such a bucky-corn structure can be stable. Theoretical study of the structure, stability and electronic properties of bucky-corn hybrids is reported for the shell of C₆₀ and C₇₀ molecules on an individual SWCNT, C₆₀ dimers on an individual SWCNT as well as C₆₀ molecules on SWNT bundles. The geometry and total energies of the bucky-corn hybrids were calculated by the molecular dynamics method, while the density functional theory method was used to simulate the electronic band structures.     

封装椭圆形C70的手性纳米管的理论表征

应用第一性原理计算,研究了椭圆形的C₇₀分子在碳纳米管中的可能取向．采用(14,7)单壁纳米管为原型材料,发现纳米管和C₇₀分子的弱化学相互作用是决定分子取向的决定因素．通过模拟扫描隧道显微镜图像和计算光学性质,发现封装的椭圆体C₇₀分子的局域电子结构敏感地依赖于分子取向     

Nanotube field and one-dimensional fluctuations of C<Subscript>60</Subscript> molecules in carbon nanotubes

C₆₀ molecules encapsulated in carbon nanotubes interact by van der Waals forces with the tube walls. The nanotube field leads to orientational confinement of the C₆₀ molecules which depends on the nanotube radius. In small tubes with radius R_T≤7 ? a fivefold symmetry axis of the molecule coincides with the tube axis, the center of mass of the molecule being located on the tube axis. The interaction between C₆₀ molecules encapsulated in the nanotube is then described by a O₂-rotor model on a one-dimensional (1-d) liquid chain with coupling between orientational and displacive degrees of freedom but no long-range order. This coupling leads to a temperature-dependent chain contraction. The structure factor of the 1-d liquid is derived. In tubes with larger radius the molecular centers of mass are displaced off the tube axis. The distinction of two groups of peapods with on- and off-axis molecules suggests an explanation of the apparent splitting of A_g modes of C₆₀ in nanotubes measured by resonant Raman scattering.     

Optical properties of fullerene and non-fullerene peapods

Single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) encapsulating fullerenes, so-called fullerene peapods, were synthesized in high yield by using diameter-selected nanotubes as pods. Transmission electron microscopy revealed high-density fullerene chains inside the nanotubes. X-ray-diffraction measurements indicate 85% filling for C₆₀ and 72% filling for C₇₀ molecules as a total yield. Interestingly, C₆₀ peas do not show any thermal expansion while C₇₀ peas show normal behavior. Room-temperature Raman spectra show one-dimensional photopolymerization of C₆₀ inside nanotubes by blue-laser irradiation, suggesting molecular rotation inside them. In C₇₀ peapods, no photopolymerization was observed but the relative Raman intensity of each peak is different from the C₇₀ 3D crystal. This is probably caused by mixing of two different crystal structures in C₇₀ peas. Furthermore, we synthesized Zn-diphenylporphyrin peapods. Optical absorption and Raman spectra suggest that the encapsulated molecules are deformed by interaction with the SWNT. Received: 12 November 2001 / Accepted: 3 December 2001 / Published online: 4 March 2002     

Effects of fullerene coalescence on the thermal conductivity of carbon nanopeapods

The heat conduction and its dependence on fullerene coalescence in carbon nanopeapods (CNPs) have been investigated by equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations. The effects of fullerene coalescence on the thermal conductivity of CNPs were discussed under different temperatures. It is shown that the thermal conductivity of the CNPs decreases with the coalescence of encapsulated fullerene molecules. The thermal transmission mechanism of the effect of fullerene coalescence was analysed by the mass transfer contribution, the relative contributions of phonon oscillation frequencies to total heat current and the phonon vibrational density of states (VDOS). The mass transfer in CNPs is mainly attributed to the motion of encapsulated fullerene molecule and it gets more restricted with the coalescence of the fullerene. It shows that the low-frequency phonon modes below 20 THz contribute mostly to thermal conductivity in CNPs. The analysis of VDOS demonstrates that the dominating contribution to heat transfer is from the inner fullerene chain. With the coalescence of fullerene, the interfacial heat transfer between the CNT and fullerene chain is strengthened; however, the heat conduction of the fullerene chain decreases more rapidly at the same time.     

Orientation-dependent ionization potential of CuPc and energy level alignment at C60/CuPc interface

The electronic structure evolution of interfaces of fullerene (C₆₀) with copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) and on native silicon oxide has been investigated with ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy and inverse photoemission spectroscopy. The LUMO edge of C₆₀ was found to be pinned at the interface with CuPc on SiO₂. A substantial difference in the electron affinity of CuPc on the two substrates was observed as the orientation of CuPc is lying flat on HOPG and standing up on SiO₂. The ionization potential and electron affinity of C₆₀ were not affected by the orientation of CuPc due to the spherical symmetry of C₆₀ molecules. We observed band bending in C₆₀ on the standing-up orientation of CuPc molecules, while the energy levels of C₆₀ on the flat-lying orientation of CuPc molecules were observed to be flat. The observation points to a dependence of photoexcited charge transfer on the relative molecular orientation at the interface.     

Effective, fast, and low temperature encapsulation of fullerene derivatives in single wall carbon nanotubes

High filling of single wall nanotubes (SWCNTs) with the typical exohedrally functionalized fullerene derivative of C₆₀N-methyl-3,4-fulleropyrrolidine C₆₀-C₃NH₇ is reported at the temperature of refluxing hexane. The new peapod material is characterized by STM (scanning tunneling microscopy), TEM (transmission electron microscopy) and Raman spectroscopy. Atomically resolved STM scans on SWCNT show no excessive defects or sidewall functionalization as a result of this treatment. The radial breathing mode (RBM) mode of SWCNT at 165 cm⁻¹ becomes weaker and shifted to 169 cm⁻¹ indicating filled nanotubes. TEM studies show bundles of SWCNT are highly filled with derivative C₆₀-C₃NH₇ and form the (C₆₀-C₃NH₇)_n peapods. Individual pyrrolidine-type functional groups attached to the fullerene cages are unambiguously visualized by a lower-dose observation.     

Unravelling low lying phonons and vibrations of carbon nanostructures: The contribution of inelastic and quasi-elastic neutron scattering

We illustrate the contribution of inelastic neutron scattering to the understanding of the vibrations and lattice excitations of fullerenes and carbon nanotubes, through some significant experimental results. Particular emphasis is placed on the study of intra and inter-molecular modes of fullerene C₆₀, as well as on the order/disorder transition characteristic of these molecules. In addition, a significant part of this article is dedicated to various intercalation compounds of fullerenes and carbon nanotubes, such as the co-crystal ??fullerene-cubane?? consisting of an arrangement of molecules of spherical and cubic shapes, or the compound called ??peapods??, in which fullerene C₆₀ are inserted inside carbon nanotubes.     

On the prospects of preparing fullerites from small and large fullerenes

The evolution of the properties of face-centered cubic fullerites with a variation in the number (nc) of carbon atoms in a C_nc fullerene molecule (15 ≤ nc ≤ 147) is investigated using the dependence of the parameters of the interfullerene interaction in face-centered cubic fullerites on the mass of the C_nc fullerene molecule. It is demonstrated that, for nc < 20, the face-centered cubic fullerites become unstable because such light small fullerene molecules cannot be kept by weak van der Waals forces. For nc ≥ 110, the fullerites have anomalously low surface energies, which should lead to fragmentation of nanoclusters composed of large hollow spherical molecules C_nc. The inference is made that the range 30 < nc < 100 is optimum for the formation of stable face-centered cubic fullerites.     

Experimentally observed orientation of C60F18 molecules on the nickel single crystal (100) surface

The angular dependence of near edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectra has been obtained in the vicinity of carbon and fluorine 1s absorption edges in a monolayer film of polar fullerene fluoride (C₆₀F₁₈) molecules on a Ni(100) substrate. The fine structure of the spectra has been identified according to experimental data via calculations based on the density functional theory, and the angular dependence of the spectra has been explained. The orientations of structural molecular fragments are determined from the angular dependence of the NEXAFS spectra. It is demonstrated that the electric dipole moment of a C₆₀F₁₈ molecule is oriented along the normal to the substrate surface with an accuracy of 5°.     

Molecular dynamics simulation of the low-energy interaction between Cu<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis></Subscript>@C<Subscript>60</Subscript> endofullerenes and the surface of a copper crystal

A molecular dynamics simulation of the low-energy interaction of C₆₀ fullerenes and Cu₁@C₆₀, Cu₆@C₆₀, and Cu₁₃@C₆₀ endofullerenes with a Cu(100) surface was performed. The effects of a copper cluster encapsulated in a fullerene and of a fullerene’s translational motion and rotation energy on its penetration into a surface were investigated. It was shown that the presence of an encapsulated cluster has a positive effect on fullerene penetration into a surface with preservation of the fullerene’s structure. The optimal conditions for fullerene penetration into a copper crystal surface were determined.     

Geometrical effects of (N@C60)2, N@C60 and C59N endohedral fullerenes within single-walled carbon nanotube as peapods on electronic structure and magnetic properties

Design of spin labels inside for possible molecular spintronics, which contains of 1D spin chain filling single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) with magnetic endohedral fullerenes of (¹⁴N@C₆₀)₂, ¹⁴N@C₆₀ and C₅₉N has been proposed. Electronic structure and magnetic properties of (¹⁴N@C₆₀)₂-SWCNT, ¹⁴N@C₆₀-SWCNT, ¹⁴N@C₆₀ and C₅₉N were characterized. Geometrical effect of (¹⁴N@C₆₀)₂, ¹⁴N@C₆₀ and C₅₉N within SWCNT on chemical shift of ¹³C, principal g-tensor, A-tensor in hfc of nitrogen atom and excited state transition was investigated by ab-initio density functional theory. The magnetic properties would be originated in the spin density distribution with π-electron interaction between encapsulated fullerenes and inner surface on SWCNT and extent of charge transfer.     

HRTEM and EELS investigation of functionalized carbon nanotubes

We have successfully resolved and visualized the structure of some chemically functionalized carbon nanotubes (CNTs) using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS). To represent the chemically modified CNT, we selected three systems. The first system is oxidized and surface thiolated MWCNT, the second system is Dy₃N@C₈₀ peapods prepared by depositing trimetal nitride fullerenes into SWCNT. The formed structure is the Dy₃N@C₈₀@SWCNT. The third system is the conventional C₆₀@SWCNT fullerene peapods, fluorinated by xenon difluoride (XeF₂) up to 18% of F. We achieved detection of very low amount (0.6%) of sulfur and proved covalent bonding onto MWCNT surface. We present EELS imaging of the separated metal clusters inside endohedral metallofullerene peapod bundles and in the fluorinated C₆₀ peapods we show homogeneous fluorination across the whole surface.     

Atomic level analysis of biomolecules by the scanning atom probe

Utilizing the unique features of the scanning atom probe (SAP) the binding states of the biomolecules, leucine and methionine, are investigated at atomic level. The molecules are mass analyzed by detecting a single atom and/or clustering atoms field evaporated from a specimen surface. Since the field evaporation is a static process, the evaporated clustering atoms are closely related with the binding between atoms forming the molecules. For example, many thiophene radicals are detected when polythiophene is mass analyzed by the SAP. In the present study the specimens are prepared by immersing a micro cotton ball of single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) in the leucine or methionine solution. The mass spectra obtained by analyzing the cotton balls exhibit singly and doubly ionized carbon ions of SWCNT and the characteristic fragments of the molecules, CH₃, CHCH₃, C₄H₇, CHNH₂ and COOH for leucine and CH₃, SCH₃, C₂H₄, C₄H₇, CHNH₂ and COOH for methionine.     

Possible scheme of synthesis-assembling of fullerenes

A new scheme of fullerene formation is proposed on the basis of the similarity between the experimentally detected carbon structures. According to experimental data, the microclusters of C₂ and C₁₀ are synthesized first and then either an intermediate nucleus cluster or an obtainable lower fullerene is assembled from them. A high-symmetry fullerene can be assembled with a high probability from a nucleus cluster with a “good” symmetry. The atomic and electronic structures of molecules such as C₃₆, C₆₀, C₇₀, and C₇₆ are analyzed. For C₃₆, the NMR spectra are calculated and compared with the experimental data.     

Direct observation of the optical anisotropy of C70 fullerene molecules in the Shpol’skii spectra

Linear optical absorption and emission spectra of C₇₀ fullerene molecules in single-crystal toluene are investigated. It is established that the lines of purely electronic S ₀-S ₁ transitions are significantly polarized. The degree of linear polarization of the spectral lines depends on the position of the fullerene molecule in the toluene matrix and can be as high as 100%. The polarization characteristics of the lines can be understood in the context of a model in which the S ₀ → S ₁ electronic transition is represented by the excitation of a planar oscillator whose axis is oriented along the principal axis of the C₇₀ molecule. The relationship between the polarization of the spectral lines and the position of the fullerene molecule in the matrix is consistent with the conclusions drawn from a theoretical analysis of different configurations possible upon the embedding of C₇₀ molecules into crystalline toluene.     

Comparison of the photosensitivity and bacterial toxicity of spherical and tubular fullerenes of variable aggregate size

Nanomaterials such as fullerene C₆₀, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and other fullerenes show unique electrical, chemical, mechanical, and thermal properties that are not well understood in the context of the environmental behavior of this class of carbon-based materials. In this study, aqueous suspensions of three fullerenes nanoparticles, C₆₀, single-wall (SW) and multi-wall (MW) CNTs were prepared by sonication and tested for reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and inactivation of Vibrio fischeri, a gram-negative rod-shaped bacterium, under ultraviolet (UV)-A irradiation. We show that ROS production and microbial inactivation increases as colloidal aggregates of C₆₀, SWCNT, and MWCNT are fractionated to enrich with smaller aggregates by progressive membrane filtration. As the quantity and influence of these more reactive fractions of the suspension may increase with time and/or as the result of fractionation processes in the laboratory or the environment, experiments evaluating photo-reactivity and toxicity endpoints must take into account the evolution and heterogeneity of nanoparticle aggregates in water.     

Study of the Initial Stage of Fluorinated C<Subscript>60</Subscript>F<Subscript>18</Subscript> Fullerene Adsorption on the Cu(001) Surface

The dynamics of the adsorption and evolution of fluorinated C₆₀F₁₈ fullerene molecules on the Cu(001) surface are studied by real-time ultra-high vacuum scanning tunneling microscopy. Fluorinated fullerene molecules are shown to decompose with time on the Cu(001) surface transforming to C₆₀ molecules. The decay rate depends on the initial molecular coverage. The rapid decay of fluorinated fullerene molecules is observed when the coverage is no higher than 0.2 single layers. As a result, two-dimensional islands consisting of pure C₆₀ molecules are formed on the Cu(001) surface. 2D islands consisting of fluorinated fullerene molecules are formed when the initial molecular coverage is higher than 0.5 single layers. The molecules inside these islands also tend to decompose with time. It is found experimentally that fluorine atoms are removed completely from the initial C₆₀F₁₈ molecules adsorbed on the Cu(001) surface after 250 h when the initial molecular coverage is 0.6 single layers.     

The compressive mechanical properties of Cn (n=20, 60, 80, 180) and endohedral M@C60 (M=Na,Al, Fe) fullerene molecules

The compressive mechanical properties of C_n (n = 20, 60, 80, 180) and endohedral M@C₆₀ (M = Na, Al, Fe) fullerene molecules are investigated using a quantum molecular dynamics (QMD) technique. Energy–strain curves, force–strain curves, endurance load, failure strain corresponding to the endurance load, and compressive stiffness of the fullerene molecules are obtained. The compressive mechanical properties of C₂₀, C₆₀, C₈₀, C₁₈₀ and M@C₆₀ (M = Na, Al, Fe) are discussed. The results show that the larger the magic number n of an empty fullerene, the higher its endurance load and compressive stiffness, but the lower its failure strain, and comparing to the empty C₆₀ fullerene, all the M@C60 molecules have greater endurance capability and failure strain.