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

在这个由化学系化学结构、动态和机理B计划资助的项目中，普渡大学韦恩堡分校化学系的史蒂文·史蒂文森教授使用他新发现的化学分离方法来分离和表征新的管状碳分子，这些分子部分是富勒烯，部分是纳米管。这些富勒烯封顶的小型化单壁碳纳米管被称为富勒管，在很大程度上还没有被探索过，几乎没有文献报道。这些不同寻常的富勒管在光伏、热传递、医药和电子等领域具有潜在的应用前景。史蒂文森教授将孤立的富勒管发送到合作机构，以利用NSF资源。其他更广泛的影响包括高中研究实习、早期本科生、纳入非专业，以及未被充分代表的群体参与他的研究。作为初步数据，PI使用选择性化学反应分离了三个富勒管，该化学反应识别和分离管状和球状的碳结构。反应性差异归因于位于全管带状区域的惰性环结较多。在第一个目标中，这个小组将有选择地瞄准富勒管的合成，并抑制传统球状富勒烯污染物的形成，否则这些污染物将占主导地位。第二个目标是在化学上区分球形富勒烯和纳米管状富勒管。在第三个目标中，将探索与其他大学合作研究的机会。这些合作努力包括振动光谱学、电子顺磁共振、光谱电化学、光物理、X射线结晶学、磁共振、理论计算、形成机制研究和功能化以制造衍生物。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

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.