Transformation of doped graphite into cluster-encapsulated fullerene cages.

ABSTRACT: An ultimate goal in carbon nanoscience is to decipher formation mechanisms of highly ordered systems. Here, we disclose chemical processes that result in formation of high-symmetry clusterfullerenes, which attract interest for use in applications that span biomedicine to molecular electronics. The conversion of doped graphite into a C₈₀ cage is shown to occur through bottom-up self-assembly reactions. Unlike conventional forms of fullerene, the iconic Buckminsterfullerene cage, I _h-C₆₀, is entirely avoided in the bottom-up formation mechanism to afford synthesis of group 3-based metallic nitride clusterfullerenes. The effects of structural motifs and cluster-cage interactions on formation of compounds in the solvent-extractable C₇₀-C₁₀₀

SUBMITTER: Mulet-Gas M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5663703 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature