Preparation, Functionalization, and Purification of Multilayer Fullerenes (Buckyonions)

本研究的重点是开发用于Buckyonions功能化的化学方法。极端氧化过程和重氮盐电还原生产的高活性苯基自由基将被使用和产品的大小分离将使用色谱程序实现。 随后去除官能团将提供尺寸分离的多壳富勒烯用于进一步的研究。有了这个探索性研究（SGER）奖，有机和大分子化学计划支持克莱姆森大学化学系的Luis Echegoyan博士的研究。Echegoyan教授将专注于开发将纳米材料领域扩展到富勒烯和碳纳米管之外的方法。 同心球形碳结构，称为巴基洋葱或多层富勒烯，将被制备，化学功能化，纯化和表征。 这项工作有可能在纳米技术领域产生更广泛的影响，因为这些结构应该具有令人感兴趣的电子、光学、光子和催化特性。 此外，该项目还为培训代表性不足的少数民族学生提供了一个极好的竞技场。

The focus of this research involves the development of chemical methods for the functionalization of Buckyonions. Extreme oxidative processes and diazonium salt electroreductive production of highly reactive phenyl radicals will be used and size separation of products will be achieved using chromatographic procedures. Subsequent removal of the functional groups should afford size-separated multishell fullerenes for further studies.With this Small Grant for Exploratory Research (SGER) award, the Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry Program is supporting the research of Dr. Luis Echegoyan in the Department of Chemistry at Clemson University. Professor Echegoyan will focus on developing methodology for extending the field of nanomaterials beyond the fullerenes and carbon nanotubes. Concentric spherical carbon structures, known as Buckyonions or multilayered fullerenes, will be prepared, chemically functionalized, purified and characterized. There is potential for broader impact of the work in the area of nanotechnology since these structures should have interesting electronic, optical, photonic and catalytic properties. Also, the project also presents an excellent arena for the training underrepresented minority students.