Nanofibers of fullerene C60 through interplay of ball-and-socket supermolecules.
Mixing solutions of p-tBu-calix[5]arene and C(60) in toluene results in a 1:1 complex (C(60)) intersection(p-tBu-calix[5]arene), which precipitates as nanofibers. The principle structural unit is based on a host-guest ball-and-socket nanostructure of the two components, with an extended structure comprising zigzag/helical arrays of fullerenes (powder X-ray diffraction data coupled with molecular modeling). Under argon at temperatures above 309 degrees C, the fibers undergo selective volatilization of the calixarenes to afford C(60)-core nanostructures encapsulated in a graphitic material sheath, which exhibits a dramatic increase in surface area. Above 650 degrees C the material exhibits an ohmic conductance response, due to the encapsulation process.
Hubble
Lee J
LJ
Centre for Forensic Science, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, 6009, Australia.
Raston
Colin L
CL
D047250:Calixarenes / Q000737:chemistry; D037741:Fullerenes / Q000737:chemistry*; D008958:Models, Molecular; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry*; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
D037741:Fullerenes; D047250:Calixarenes; C069837:fullerene C60