title: Comparison of diatoms, exfoliated graphite, single-wall nanotubes, multiwall nanotubes, and silica for the synthesis of the nanomagnet Mn12.
abstract: We have completed a preliminary series of experiments that compare the silicate shells of the marine organism diatoms to Single-Wall NanoTubes (SWNT), Multi-Wall NanoTubes (MWNT), Exfoliated Graphite (EG), and silica as templates for producing nanostructures of the manganese acetate cluster Mn12 (Mn12[CH3(COO)16(H2O)4O12].(2)CH3COOH.4H2O). Mn12 exhibits magnetic properties because of the molecular arrangement within the cluster and exhibits no exchange couplings between the individual clusters. Data from scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and laser diffraction are discussed in terms of research that can expand the use of diatoms and other materials as templates for nanostructures.
authors.affiliation: Chemistry Department, Valdosta State University, Valdosta, Georgia 31698, USA.
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Manning
authors.forename: Jerry
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Purcell
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Nienow
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Olsen
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Riddle
authors.forename: Jon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ekman
mesh_terms: D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods*; D017377:Diatoms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006108:Graphite / Q000737:chemistry*; D008280:Magnetics; D008345:Manganese / Q000737:chemistry*; D008422:Materials Testing; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods; D043942:Nanotubes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010316:Particle Size; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D008345:Manganese; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D006108:Graphite