1
|
Fan H, Liu Z, Gan LH, Wang CR. The formation mechanism of Sc-based metallofullerenes: a molecular dynamics simulation study. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2024; 26:5499-5507. [PMID: 38282470 DOI: 10.1039/d3cp05587f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
The practical applications of endohedral metallofullerenes (EMFs) are mainly constrained by their low yields. Understanding the formation mechanisms is therefore crucial for developing methods for high-yield and selective synthesis. To address this, a novel force-field parameter set, "CSc.ff", was created using a single-parameter search optimization method, then molecular dynamics simulations of various systems with a carbon-to-scandium atomic ratio of 12.5 were carried out. The simulations were run under a constant atomic number, volume, and energy (NVE) ensemble. The influence of the working gas, helium, as well as temperature gradients on the formation process was examined. Our simulations reveal that the cage growth patterns of Sc-based EMFs (Sc-EMFs) closely resemble those of hollow fullerenes, evolving from free carbon atoms to chains, rings, and, ultimately, to cage-shaped clusters. Importantly, the Sc-EMFs formed in the simulation frequently exhibit structural defects or under-coordinated carbon atoms. Scandium atoms, whether at the periphery or on the surface of these cages, can be incorporated into the cages, forming Sc-EMFs. Helium was found to not only promote the formation of carbon cages but also facilitate the encapsulation of scandium atoms, playing a crucial role in the formation of cluster fullerenes. Moreover, cooling effectively inhibits the uncontrollable growth of the carbon cage and is essential for forming stable, appropriate-sized cages. This study enhances our understanding of the formation of Sc-EMFs and provides valuable insights for developing more efficient synthetic methods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huichen Fan
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China.
| | - Zhenyu Liu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China.
| | - Li-Hua Gan
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China.
| | - Chun-Ru Wang
- Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Yu P, Li M, Hu S, Pan C, Shen W, Guo K, Xie YP, Bao L, Zhang R, Lu X. Stabilizing a non-IPR C2(13333)-C 74 cage with Lu 2C 2/Lu 2O: the importance of encaged non-metallic elements. Chem Commun (Camb) 2023; 59:12990-12993. [PMID: 37831442 DOI: 10.1039/d3cc04668k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
A difference in encaged non-metallic element (i.e., C2versus O) leads to a clear change of intramolecular interactions and shifts in redox potentials of Lu2C2@C2(13333)-C74 and Lu2O@C2(13333)-C74, as a result of their distinct molecular orbital energy levels. Different from these two endoherals whose HOMOs are located on the cage, experimentally absent Lu2@C2(13333)-C74 possesses a HOMO predominantly delocalized on the internal Lu-Lu bond, accompanied by a much smaller HOMO-LUMO gap, suggesting that the presence of a non-metallic unit broadens the electrochemical gaps and consequently improves the kinetic stability. These findings shed light on the role of non-metallic moieties in clusterfullerenes, providing valuable insights into the stability and properties of metallofullerenes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pengwei Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Materials Processing and Die & Mould Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1037 Luoyu Road, Wuhan, 430074, China.
| | - Mengyang Li
- School of Physics, Xidian University, Xi'an, 710071, China
| | - Shuaifeng Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Materials Processing and Die & Mould Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1037 Luoyu Road, Wuhan, 430074, China.
| | - Changwang Pan
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jinggangshan University, Ji'an 331000, China
| | - Wangqiang Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Materials Processing and Die & Mould Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1037 Luoyu Road, Wuhan, 430074, China.
| | - Kun Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Materials Processing and Die & Mould Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1037 Luoyu Road, Wuhan, 430074, China.
| | - Yun-Peng Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Materials Processing and Die & Mould Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1037 Luoyu Road, Wuhan, 430074, China.
| | - Lipiao Bao
- State Key Laboratory of Materials Processing and Die & Mould Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1037 Luoyu Road, Wuhan, 430074, China.
| | - Rui Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Process of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Pharmacy, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan 430205, China.
| | - Xing Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Materials Processing and Die & Mould Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1037 Luoyu Road, Wuhan, 430074, China.
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hainan University, No. 58, Renmin Avenue, Haikou 570228, China
| |
Collapse
|