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

在这个由化学部化学结构、动力学机制B项目资助的项目中，普渡大学韦恩堡化学系的史蒂文·史蒂文森教授利用他新发现的化学分离方法，分离和表征了部分富勒烯部分纳米管的新型管状碳分子。 被称为富勒烯管，这些富勒烯封端的小型化单壁碳纳米管在很大程度上是未开发的文献报道很少。 这些不寻常的富勒管在光化学、传热、医学和电子学方面有潜在的应用。 史蒂文森教授将孤立的富勒管发送到合作机构，以利用NSF的资源。 其他更广泛的影响包括高中研究实习，早期本科生，包括非专业，并在他的研究代表性不足的群体的参与。 作为初步数据，PI使用选择性化学反应分离出三个富勒烯管，该反应识别并分离管状和球形碳结构。 反应性差异归因于位于富勒烯管的带区域上的更惰性的环结。 在第一个目标中，该小组将选择性地针对富勒烯管的合成，并抑制常规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形富勒烯管。 在第三个目标中，将探索与其他大学合作研究的机会。 这些合作成果包括振动光谱学、EPR、光谱电化学、光谱物理学、X射线晶体学、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知识价值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.