Molecular view of charge exchange in ion–C60 collisions

We present a theoretical study of charge transfer in H⁺+C₆₀ and He²⁺+C₆₀ collisions using an extension of the molecular time‐dependent method of ion–atom collisions. Energy‐correlation diagrams have been evaluated for the corresponding (C₆₀–H)⁺ and (C₆₀–He)²⁺ quasi‐molecules. Single and double charge‐transfer cross sections in C₆₀+He²⁺ collisions are reported for the first time. The results show that double charge‐transfer cross sections are only one order of magnitude smaller than single charge‐transfer cross sections. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2001     

Depth profiling of polymer samples using Ga+ and C60+ ion beams

In this contribution, we focus on the use of C₆₀⁺ ions for depth profiling of model synthetic polymers: polystyrene (PS) and poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA). These polymers were spin coated on silicon wafers, and the obtained samples were depth‐profiled both with Ga⁺ ions and C₆₀⁺ ions. We observed an important yield enhancement for both polymers when C₆₀⁺ ions are used. More specifically, we discuss here the decrease in damage obtained with C₆₀, which is found to be very sensitive to the nature of the polymer. During the C₆₀⁺ sputtering of the PMMA layer, after an initial decrease, a steady state is observed in the secondary ion yield of characteristic fragments. In contrast, for PS, an exponential decrease is directly observed, leading to an initial disappearance cross section close to the value observed for Ga⁺. Though there is a significant loss of characteristic PS signal when sputtering with C₆₀⁺ ions beams, there are still significant enhancements in sputter yields when employing C₆₀⁺ as compared to Ga⁺. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ultrafast Photoinduced Charge Separation Leading to High‐Energy Radical Ion‐Pairs in Directly Linked Corrole–C60 and Triphenylamine–Corrole‐C60 Donor–Acceptor Conjugates

Closely positioned donor–acceptor pairs facilitate electron‐ and energy‐transfer events, relevant to light energy conversion. Here, a triad system TPACor‐C₆₀ , possessing a free‐base corrole as central unit that linked the energy donor triphenylamine ( TPA ) at the meso position and an electron acceptor fullerene (C₆₀) at the β‐pyrrole position was newly synthesized, as were the component dyads TPA‐Cor and Cor‐C₆₀ . Spectroscopic, electrochemical, and DFT studies confirmed the molecular integrity and existence of a moderate level of intramolecular interactions between the components. Steady‐state fluorescence studies showed efficient energy transfer from ¹ TPA* to the corrole and subsequent electron transfer from ¹corrole* to fullerene. Further studies involving femtosecond and nanosecond laser flash photolysis confirmed electron transfer to be the quenching mechanism of corrole emission, in which the electron‐transfer products, the corrole radical cation ( Cor^?+ in Cor‐C₆₀ and TPA‐Cor^?+ in TPACor‐C₆₀ ) and fullerene radical anion (C₆₀^??), could be spectrally characterized. Owing to the close proximity of the donor and acceptor entities in the dyad and triad, the rate of charge separation, k_CS, was found to be about 10¹¹ s^?1, suggesting the occurrence of an ultrafast charge‐separation process. Interestingly, although an order of magnitude slower than k_CS, the rate of charge recombination, k_CR, was also found to be rapid (k_CR≈10¹⁰ s^?1), and both processes followed the solvent polarity trend DMF>benzonitrile>THF>toluene. The charge‐separated species relaxed directly to the ground state in polar solvents while in toluene, formation of ³corrole* was observed, thus implying that the energy of the charge‐separated state in a nonpolar solvent is higher than the energy of ³corrole* being about 1.52 eV. That is, ultrafast formation of a high‐energy charge‐separated state in toluene has been achieved in these closely spaced corrole–fullerene donor–acceptor conjugates.     

Spectra of optical phonons and low-energy electronic transitions in C60/TMPD and C60/TPA single crystals

Single Crystals of C₆₀/TMPD and C₆₀/TPA have been grown from a chlorobenzene solution. Optical transmission spectra of single crystals of fullerene complexes withN,N,N,N-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine (TMPD) and triphenylamine (TPA) are studied in the spectral range from 600 to 16000 cm^–1. Splitting of the intramolecular vibration of C₆₀ is observed at 1428 cm^–1, which is likely caused by freezing of the rotation of the C₆₀ molecules due to their interaction with amines. Single crystals of C₆₀/TMPD differ from those of C₆₀/TPA by a decrease in the vibration frequency at 1428 cm^–1, vibrations of the C-C bonds of the TMPD molecule, and the redistribution of the forces of the oscillators of the vibrations of the C-N bonds. These peculiarities are interpreted to be the result of partial electron transfer from TMPD to C₆₀ in the C₆₀/TMPD single crystals. The electron transfer in the C₆₀/TPA system is less pronounced.Translated fromIzvestiya akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 6, pp. 1459–1464, June, 1996     

Photosynthetic Antenna‐Reaction Center Mimicry with a Covalently Linked Monostyryl Boron‐Dipyrromethene–Aza‐Boron‐Dipyrromethene–C60 Triad

An efficient functional mimic of the photosynthetic antenna‐reaction center has been designed and synthesized. The model contains a near‐infrared‐absorbing aza‐boron‐dipyrromethene (ADP) that is connected to a monostyryl boron‐dipyrromethene (BDP) by a click reaction and to a fullerene (C₆₀) using the Prato reaction. The intramolecular photoinduced energy and electron‐transfer processes of this triad as well as the corresponding dyads BDP‐ADP and ADP‐C₆₀ have been studied with steady‐state and time‐resolved absorption and fluorescence spectroscopic methods in benzonitrile. Upon excitation, the BDP moiety of the triad is significantly quenched due to energy transfer to the ADP core, which subsequently transfers an electron to the fullerene unit. Cyclic and differential pulse voltammetric studies have revealed the redox states of the components, which allow estimation of the energies of the charge‐separated states. Such calculations show that electron transfer from the singlet excited ADP (¹ADP*) to C₆₀ yielding ADP^.+‐C₆₀^.? is energetically favorable. By using femtosecond laser flash photolysis, concrete evidence has been obtained for the occurrence of energy transfer from ¹BDP* to ADP in the dyad BDP‐ADP and electron transfer from ¹ADP* to C₆₀ in the dyad ADP‐C₆₀. Sequential energy and electron transfer have also been clearly observed in the triad BDP‐ADP‐C₆₀. By monitoring the rise of ADP emission, it has been found that the rate of energy transfer is fast (≈10¹¹ s^?1). The dynamics of electron transfer through ¹ADP* has also been studied by monitoring the formation of C₆₀ radical anion at 1000 nm. A fast charge‐separation process from ¹ADP* to C₆₀ has been detected, which gives the relatively long‐lived BDP‐ADP^.+C₆₀^.? with a lifetime of 1.47 ns. As shown by nanosecond transient absorption measurements, the charge‐separated state decays slowly to populate mainly the triplet state of ADP before returning to the ground state. These findings show that the dyads BDP‐ADP and ADP‐C₆₀, and the triad BDP‐ADP‐C₆₀ are interesting artificial analogues that can mimic the antenna and reaction center of the natural photosynthetic systems.     

Delayed emission of electrons from C60 following energetic impact against graphite

The yield of C ₆₀ ⁺ ions reflected from the surface of graphite is found to be a bimodal function of the energy of impact. Below 140 eV (6 km/s), the yield decreases with energy and the scattering time-of-flight peak is sharp. Above 170 eV, the yield increases, but the peak is broad and asymmetric, corresponding to delayed electron emission from an impact-heated, neutralized cluster. There is also evidence for fragmentation to C₅₈ and C₅₆. The emission process may be analogous to that reported for scattered C ₆₀ ^? . Application of statistical rate theory to either observation (C ₆₀ ^± ) gives an estimated 25–30 percent transfer of impact energy into cluster internal modes. The decreasing yield at highest energies (>400 eV) may result from adhesion processes (C₆₀-surface bonding) that could also account for the absence of delayed electron emission in C₆₀-silicon collisions.     

Kinetics of the radiative relaxation of the highly excited C60 +* ion

The radiation of fullerene molecules from the intersection area of the C₆₀ beam with an electron beam with an energy of 27≤E _e /eV≤100 was studied experimentally under conditions of a single collision. It was found that ionized C₆₀ ^+* molecules make the main contribution to the radiation. The radiation intensity and the temperature of C₆₀ ^+* as functions of the energyE _e were measured. The kinetics of the radiation cooling of C₆₀ ^+* was studied and the rate of the radiation loss of the ion energy (5.5·10⁵ eV s⁻¹) was determined at a temperature of 3150 K. For the heat model of radiation at the wavelength λ=540 nm, this corresponds to the emissivity ε=1.1·10⁻². Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 2, pp. 273–276, February, 2000.     

Comparison of photoinduced electron transfer reactions of C60 and aromatic carbonyl compounds

The one-electron reduction potential of the triplet excited state of C₆₀ is similar to those of some aromatic carbonyl compounds. Thus, photoinduced electron transfer is expected to occur from the common electron donors to both C₆₀ and aromatic carbonyl compounds. In this paper comparison is made between photoinduced electron transfer from organosilanes and organostannanes used as the electron donors to the triplet excited states of C₆₀ and aromatic carbonyl compounds, providing valuable insight into their common mechanistic features for the C-C bond formation via photoinduced electron transfer as well as the new functionalization method of C₆₀.     

Energy and angular differential cross sections for K + NO2 charge transfer reactions

Doubly differential cross sections, in energy and angle, are reported for the electron transfer reaction between potassium and nitrogen dioxide in a crossed beam apparatus at relative collision energies between 2.7 and 30.8 eV. The formation of NO^?₂ in its ground ¹A₁ and excited ³B₁ state has been observed. Theoretical consideration of these processes indicates that bond bending during the collision has a stronger influence on ion-pair formation than bond stretching. At the lower collision energies most of the excess energy is converted into internal energy of NO^?₂.     

BaxC60 fullerides: π Electronic peculiarities of the C60 molecule and their consequences for the solid state

The electronic structure of Ba_xC₆₀ fullerides was studied theoretically under special consideration of π electronic effects in the C₆₀ molecule. Band structure data were derived by an intermediate neglect of differential overlap (INDO) crystal orbital (CO) approach. Different electronic configuration were evaluated in the Ba-doped C₆₀ fullerides. Ba_xC₆₀ solids with x=0, 3, 4, 6 are insulators. For a Ba₅C₆₀ model extrapolated from the crystal structure of Ba₆C₆₀, a finite band gap is also predicted. For a Ca₅C₆₀-like structure of Ba₅C₆₀, a quasi-degeneracy between a metallic configuration and an insulating Mott-like state was found. With an increasing Ba-to-C₆₀ charge transfer (CT), sizable changes in the π system of C₆₀ occur. In the neural molecule and for not too high an electron count, the π electrons form more or less electronically isolated hexagon–hexagon (6–6) “double” bonds with only minor hexagon–pentagon (6–5) “double-bond” admixtures. In the vicinity of C₆₀¹²⁻, the 6–6 bonds have lost most of their double-bond character while it is enhanced for the 6–5 bonds. In highly charged anions, the π electron system of the soccer ball approaches a configuration with 12 decoupled 6π electron pentagons. For electron numbers between C₆₀ and C₆₀¹²⁻, the net π bonding is not weakened. The INDO CO results of the Ba_xC₆₀ solids are supplemented by INDO MO and ab initio (3-21 G* split-valence basis) calculations of molecular C₆₀ and some highly charged anions. Ab initio geometry optimizations show that the bond alternation of C₆₀ with short 6–6 and long 6–5 bonds is inverted in C¹²⁻₆₀. The high acceptor capability of C₆₀ is explained microscopically on the basis of quantum statistical arguments. In the π electron configurations of C₆₀ and C₆₀¹²⁻, the influence of the Pauli antisymmetry principle (PAP) is minimized. The quantum statistics of (π) electron ensembles with a deactivated PAP is of the so-called hard-core bosonic (hcb) type. In these ensembles, the on-site interaction is fermionic while the intersite interaction is bosonic. Energetic consequences of the quantum statistical peculiarities of π systems are explained with the aid of simple model systems; we selected annulenes and polyenes. Computational tools in this step are Green's function quantum Monte Carlo (GF QMC) and full configuration interaction (CI) calculations for the π electrons of the model systems. These many-body techniques were combined with a Pariser–Parr–Pople (PPP) Hamiltonian. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem 65 : 333–373, 1997     

Photoinduced electron transfer of fullerenes (C60 and C70) studied by transient absorption measurements in near-IR region

Efficiencies and rates of electron transfer from various electron donors to excited fullerenes (C₆₀ and C₇₀) have been determined by observing the transient absorption bands in the near-IR region, where the anion radicals of fullerenes appear. From the rise of the absorption bands of C₆₀ ⁻⁺ and C₇₀ ⁻⁺ in the near-IR region, electron transfer takes place via the triplet states (^TC₆₀ ^* and ^TC₇₀ ^*) under appropriately low concentrations of electron donors. By analysis of the rise curves C₆₀ ⁻⁺ and C₇₀ ⁻⁺, contribution of the excited singlet states (^SC₆₀ ^* and ^SC₇₀ ^*) in addition to the route of the triplet states (^TC₆₀ ^* and ^TC₇₀ ^*) is confirmed. The quantum yield for electron transfer via the triplet states Φ_ct ^T was evaluated by the ratio of [C₆₀ ⁻⁺]/[^TC₆₀ ^*] (or [C₇₀ ⁻⁺/[^TC₇₀ ^*]). The Φ_ct ^T depends upon the donor-ability, donor concentration, and solvent polarity. The back electron-transfer process, which was evaluated by observing C₆₀ ⁻⁺, also depends upon the solvent polarity.     

The scattering of low energy C60 on graphite (0001) surfaces

The interaction between C₆₀ molecules with a graphite (0001) surface has been investigated by means of molecular dynamics simulations. The initial energies of the C60 molecules are 90 and 270 eV, respectively. An empirical model potential suggested by Takai et al. is used to describe the interaction between carbon atoms in the C₆₀ molecule and between the atoms forming the graphite substrate. The interaction between the C₆₀ atoms and the graphite atoms is modeled by a suitable Lennard-Jones potential. The resilience of scattered C₆₀ molecules is observed and its energy distribution is in reasonable agreement with available experimental data, showing no significant dependence of the rebounding translational energy on the incident kinetic energy. The energy partition in the collision has been analyzed in detail and a two-step collision model speculated in the experiments has been discussed based on the simulation results.     

Effects of Light Energy and Reducing Agents on C60‐Mediated Photosensitizing Reactions

Many biomolecules contain photoactive reducing agents, such as reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and 6‐thioguanine (6‐TG) incorporated into DNA through drug metabolism. These reducing agents may produce reactive oxygen species under UVA irradiation or act as electron donors in various media. The interactions of C₆₀ fullerenes with biological reductants and light energy, especially via the Type‐I electron‐transfer mechanism, are not fully understood although these factors are often involved in toxicity assessments. The two reductants employed in this work were NADH for aqueous solutions and 6‐TG for organic solvents. Using steady‐state photolysis and electrochemical techniques, we showed that under visible light irradiation, the presence of reducing agents enhanced C₆₀‐mediated Type‐I reactions that generate superoxide anion (O₂^.?) at the expense of singlet oxygen (¹O₂) production. The quantum yield of O₂^.? production upon visible light irradiation of C₆₀ is estimated below 0.2 in dipolar aprotic media, indicating that the majority of triplet C₆₀ deactivate via Type‐II pathway. Upon UVA irradiation, however, both C₆₀ and NADH undergo photochemical reactions to produce O₂^.?, which could lead to a possible synergistic toxicity effects. C₆₀ photosensitization via Type‐I pathway is not observed in the absence of reducing agents.     

Rydberg electron transfer to C60 and C70

Experimental results are reported for the attachment of Ar* * (nl) Rydberg electrons to C₆₀ and C₇₀ over the range n = 19–270. In agreement with other Rydberg work we find that the rate coefficient for C ₆₀ ^? formation remains large (around 2·10^-8 cm³ s^-1) towards high n and is essentially constant for n > 40, thereby indicating the presence of an s-wave attachment process in contrast to interpretations of free electron attachment data postulating p-wave threshold behaviour. The rate coefficients for C ₇₀ ^? formation show a similar n-dependence as those for C ₆₀ ^? , but they are significantly larger. Possible mechanisms for s-wave attachment including formation of polarization-bound negative ion states are discussed. Regarding the threshold behaviour for the attachment of free electrons to C₆₀ we propose — based on an analysis of available free electron data — the presence of an s-wave (possibly resonance type) contribution near zero energy.     

Photoinduced Energy and Electron Transfer in Phenylethynyl‐Bridged Zinc Porphyrin–Oligothienylenevinylene–C60 Ensembles

Donor–bridge–acceptor triad (Por‐2TV‐C₆₀) and tetrad molecules ((Por)₂‐2TV‐C₆₀), which incorporated C₆₀ and one or two porphyrin molecules that were covalently linked through a phenylethynyl‐oligothienylenevinylene bridge, were synthesized. Their photodynamics were investigated by fluorescence measurements, and by femto‐ and nanosecond laser flash photolysis. First, photoinduced energy transfer from the porphyrin to the C₆₀ moiety occurred rather than electron transfer, followed by electron transfer from the oligothienylenevinylene to the singlet excited state of the C₆₀ moiety to produce the radical cation of oligothienylenevinylene and the radical anion of C₆₀. Then, back‐electron transfer occurred to afford the triplet excited state of the oligothienylenevinylene moiety rather than the ground state. Thus, the porphyrin units in (Por)‐2TV‐C₆₀ and (Por)₂‐2TV‐C₆₀ acted as efficient photosensitizers for the charge separation between oligothienylenevinylene and C₆₀.     

Thermal properties of Fe-fullerene systems is reaction C60+Fe→Fe@C60 in solid fullerite possible?

Iron in the fullerite lattice binds fullerences in a sandwich type C₆₀FeC₆₀ complexes. At the concentration C₆₀Fe₂ it crystallizes in the monoclinic lattice. The structure is thermally unstable, with the energy release of 606 kJ·mol^?1 it returns to fee lattice. Two possible sites in the reconstructed fee lattice are discussed, Fe bond to C₆₀ and Fe inside the C₆₀ cage.     

Formation and fragmentation of C n + clusters produced from a C60/C70 mixture in an electron-impact ion source

Various fullerene ions are generated in a standard plasma ion source from a vaporized mixture of C₆₀/C₇₀. Except C ₆₀ ⁺ and C ₇₀ ⁺ , the fullerene ions are formed by fragmentation of C₆₀ or C₇₀ excited by electron impact. Information on the structure and stability of the fullerene ions is obtained by studying unimolecular dissociation and collision-induced fragmentation of C ₆₀ ⁺ , C ₅₈ ⁺ and C ₅₆ ⁺ in H₂ and Ar target gases.     

Quenching of electronically excited Ln3+* ions by C60 fullerene

Quenching of electronically excited states of Ln^3+* ions generated upon photoexcitation of toluene solutions of Ln(acac)₃·H₂O (Ln = Tb, Eu) complexes by C₆₀ fullerene at 293 K was detected and investigated. The dependences of quenching efficiency on C₆₀ concentration obtained from data on the decrease in the photoluminescence intensity and Ln^3+* lifetimes obey the Stern-Volmer law. Quenching is due to inductive-resonant energy transfer from Ln^3+* to C₆₀ fullerene. The bimolecular rate constants for quenching, the overlap integrals of the Ln^3+* photoluminescence spectra with the C₆₀ absorption spectra, and the critical energy transfer distances were determined. No sensitized luminescence of C₆₀ in the system studied was detected. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 6, pp. 921–925, June, 2006.     

Modified electron transfer model for excitation functions of the type M + RX → MX + R and M+ + RX− (M = alkali,R = alkyl group,X = halogen) and M′ + N2O → MO* + N2 (M′= Ba OR Sm)

A one-dimensional model is described for the excitation functions of reactions that are initiated by an electron transfer at close range. The process is governed by a barrier in the entrance channel, the abortive reflection of trajectories at higher energies and by the competition of an adiabatic and a diabatic channel for the reactive flux. The model is fitted to measured cross sections for the (K.Rb)+CH₃I, K+C₂H₅Br and (Ba.Sm)÷ N₂O reactions and the electron transfer cross section for K+CH₃I → K⁺ + CH₃I^- is successfully predicted from the fitting parameters of the reactive channel.     

The influence of driving force on intramolecular electron transfer: A theoretical study of subphthalocyanine-AzaBODIPY-C60 supramolecular triad

The driving force of electron transfer is one of important factors for initializing inter- and intramolecular charge separation. In this work, the main goal is to understand how driving force determines electron transfer pathway in subphthalocyanine-AzaBODIPY-C₆₀ supramolecular triad. Experimental observations have suggested that there are only two intramolecular charge transfer states (subPC⁺-AzaBODIPY⁻-C₆₀ and subPC⁺-AzaBODIPY-C₆₀⁻) after photon absorption, where subPC is the donor. Through the calculations by using tuned long range corrected density functionals with polarizable continuum model, we find two more new intramolecular charge transfer states: subPC⁻-AzaBODIPY⁺-C₆₀ and subPC-AzaBODIPY⁺-C₆₀⁻, where AzaBODIPY is the donor. We compare the HOMO/LUMO energy of subPC, AzaBODIPY, and C₆₀ monomers to their corresponding orbital energy in the triad. The results indicate that the driving force (HOMO/LUMO energy offsets) is not enough for electron transfer from AzaBODIPY to subPC or C₆₀, which can explain why subPC⁻-AzaBODIPY⁺-C₆₀ and subPC-AzaBODIPY⁺-C₆₀⁻ intramolecular charge transfer states cannot be observed in the experiment. In addition, this work may provide a simple and practical method to find the intramolecular charge transport pathway of a supramolecule.