Single-Crystalline (KC 60 ) n : A Conducting Linear Alkali Fulleride Polymer

Structures, fundamental properties, and potential applications of low-dimensional C60 polymers and other nanocarbons: a review

Since carbon (C) atom has a variety of chemical bonds via hybridization between s and p atomic orbitals, it is well known that there are robust carbon materials. In particular, discovery of C60 has been an epoch making to cultivate nanocarbon fields. Since then, nanocarbon materials such as nanotube and graphene have been reported. It is interesting to note that C60 is soluble and volatile unlike nanotube and graphene. This indicates that C60 film is easy to be produced on any kinds of substrates, which is advantage for device fabrication. In particular, electron-/photo-induced C60 polymerization finally results in formation of one-dimensional (1D) metallic peanut-shaped and 2D dumbbell-shaped semiconducting C60 polymers, respectively. This enables us to control the physicochemical properties of C60 films using electron-/photo-lithography techniques. In this review, we focused on the structures, fundamental properties, and potential applications of the low-dimensional C60 polymers and other nanocarbons such as C60 peapods, wavy-structured graphene, and penta-nanotubes with topological defects. We hope this review will provide new insights for producing new novel nanocarbon materials and inspire broad readers to cultivate new further research in carbon materials.

A first-principles study of 1D and 2D C60nanostructures: strain effects on band alignments and carrier mobility

In the breakthrough progress made in the latest experiment Houet al(2022Nature606507), 2DC60polymer was exfoliated from the quasi-hexagonal bulk crystals. BulkC60polymer with quasi-tetragonal phase was found to easily form 1D fullerene structure withC60molecules connected by C=C. Inspired by the experiment, we investigate the strain behaviors of 1D and 2DC60polymers by first-principles calculations. Some physical properties of these low dimensionalC60polymers, including structural stability, elastic behavior, band alignment and carrier mobility, are predicted. Compared with fullereneC60molecule, 1D and 2DC60polymers are metastable. At absolute zero temperature, 1DC60bears a uniaxial tensile strain less than 11.5%, and 2D monolayerC60withstands a biaxial tensile strain less than 7.5%. At 300 K,ab initiomolecular dynamics confirm that they can withstand the strains of 9% and 5%, respectively. Strain engineering can adjust the absolute position of the band edge. In the absence of strain, carrier mobility is predicted to beµ_e= 398 andµ_h= 322cm2V-1s-1for 1DC60polymer, andμe,x=74/μe,y= 34cm2V-1s-1andμh,x=646/μh,y= 1487cm2V-1s-1for 2DC60polymer. Compared with other carbon based semiconductors, theseC60polymers exhibit high effective mass, resulting in low mobility.

A few-layer covalent network of fullerenes

The two natural allotropes of carbon, diamond and graphite, are extended networks of sp³-hybridized and sp²-hybridized atoms, respectively¹. By mixing different hybridizations and geometries of carbon, one could conceptually construct countless synthetic allotropes. Here we introduce graphullerene, a two-dimensional crystalline polymer of C₆₀ that bridges the gulf between molecular and extended carbon materials. Its constituent fullerene subunits arrange hexagonally in a covalently interconnected molecular sheet. We report charge-neutral, purely carbon-based macroscopic crystals that are large enough to be mechanically exfoliated to produce molecularly thin flakes with clean interfaces-a critical requirement for the creation of heterostructures and optoelectronic devices². The synthesis entails growing single crystals of layered polymeric (Mg₄C₆₀)_∞ by chemical vapour transport and subsequently removing the magnesium with dilute acid. We explore the thermal conductivity of this material and find it to be much higher than that of molecular C₆₀, which is a consequence of the in-plane covalent bonding. Furthermore, imaging few-layer graphullerene flakes using transmission electron microscopy and near-field nano-photoluminescence spectroscopy reveals the existence of moiré-like superlattices³. More broadly, the synthesis of extended carbon structures by polymerization of molecular precursors charts a clear path to the systematic design of materials for the construction of two-dimensional heterostructures with tunable optoelectronic properties.

Synthesis of a monolayer fullerene network

Two-dimensional (2D) carbon materials, such as graphene, have attracted particular attention owing to the exceptional carrier transport characteristics that arise from the unique π-electron system in their conjugated carbon network structure^1-4. To complement zero-bandgap graphene, material scientists have devoted considerable effort to identifying 2D carbon materials^5-8. However, it is a challenge to prepare large-sized single-crystal 2D carbon materials with moderate bandgaps^5,9. Here we prepare a single-crystal 2D carbon material, namely monolayer quasi-hexagonal-phase fullerene (C₆₀), with a large size via an interlayer bonding cleavage strategy. In this monolayer polymeric C₆₀, cluster cages of C₆₀ are covalently bonded with each other in a plane, forming a regular topology that is distinct from that in conventional 2D materials. Monolayer polymeric C₆₀ exhibits high crystallinity and good thermodynamic stability, and the electronic band structure measurement reveals a transport bandgap of about 1.6 electronvolts. Furthermore, an asymmetric lattice structure endows monolayer polymeric C₆₀ with notable in-plane anisotropic properties, including anisotropic phonon modes and conductivity. This 2D carbon material with a moderate bandgap and unique topological structure offers an interesting platform for potential application in 2D electronic devices.

Dynamics & Spectroscopy with Neutrons-Recent Developments & Emerging Opportunities

This work provides an up-to-date overview of recent developments in neutron spectroscopic techniques and associated computational tools to interrogate the structural properties and dynamical behavior of complex and disordered materials, with a focus on those of a soft and polymeric nature. These have and continue to pave the way for new scientific opportunities simply thought unthinkable not so long ago, and have particularly benefited from advances in high-resolution, broadband techniques spanning energy transfers from the meV to the eV. Topical areas include the identification and robust assignment of low-energy modes underpinning functionality in soft solids and supramolecular frameworks, or the quantification in the laboratory of hitherto unexplored nuclear quantum effects dictating thermodynamic properties. In addition to novel classes of materials, we also discuss recent discoveries around water and its phase diagram, which continue to surprise us. All throughout, emphasis is placed on linking these ongoing and exciting experimental and computational developments to specific scientific questions in the context of the discovery of new materials for sustainable technologies.

Investigation of the polymerization mechanism of ferrocene doped C60 under high pressure and high temperature

In situ high pressure and high temperature (HPHT) study has been carried out on C₆₀/ferrocene (Fc) in order to detect the process of polymerization and reveal the polymerization mechanism. Pristine C₆₀ was also studied under same conditions for comparison. In both cases, similar types of polymers can be observed after pressure and temperature release, but with different fractions, i.e. a larger amount of 2D polymers were formed in pure C₆₀, while more branch-like polymers were synthesized in C₆₀/Fc, although the most fraction of the polymers is still 1D chain-like polymer in both of the materials. The polymers formed in C₆₀ can be detected both during the “up” run (pressure and temperature increase) and the “down” run (pressure and temperature decrease), while in C₆₀/Fc, the polymers can only be synthesized in the “down” run. The differences between the two cases were attributed to the different initial lattice structures of the two materials and the confinement effect of the dopant. The polymerization mechanism on C₆₀/Fc under HPHT was also revealed in this work.

Theoretical study of the structures and first hyperpolarizabilities of C60Cl n and Li@C60Cl n (n = 4, 6, 8, 10)

We recently reported (Song Y-D et al., 2016, J Mol Model 22:50) that doping with Li greatly affects the static first hyperpolarizability of C60Cl2. In this work, with a view to creating nonlinear optical materials with high thermodynamic stability and wide transparent regions, a series of Li@C60Cl n (n = 4, 6, 8, 10) were designed. The structures, electrostatic potentials, electronic structures, absorption spectra, and linear and nonlinear optical properties of C60Cl n and Li@C60Cl n were systematically investigated using density functional theory (DFT) methods. The results of our calculations indicated that the stability of these molecules decreases in the order Li@C60Cl10 > Li@C60Cl8 > Li@C60Cl6 > Li@C60Cl4. It is clear that the number of Cl atoms greatly influences the stability of Li@C60Cl n . Li@C60Cl n showed greater thermodynamic stability than Li@C60Cl2. We also investigated the first hyperpolarizabilities of Li@C60Cl n and found them to be 2973, 3640, 4307, and 2627 au for n = 4, 6, 8, and 10, respectively-higher than that of Li@C60Cl2. Finally, we noted that the transparent region could be modulated by increasing the number of Cl atoms: Li@C60Cl n possess wider transparent regions than that of Li@C60Cl2. We therefore believe that this study has highlighted an effective method for designing nonlinear optical materials with high thermodynamic stability and wide transparent regions.

Electronic structures and optical properties of the IPR-violating C60X8 (X = H, F, and Cl) fullerene compounds: a computational study

Stimulated by the preparation and characterization of the isolated pentagon rule (IPR) violating chlorofullerene: C(60)Cl(8) (Nat. Mater. 2008, 7, 790-794), we have performed a systematic investigation on the structural stabilities, electronic and optical properties of the IPR-violating C(60)X(8) (X = H, F, and Cl) fullerene compounds via density functional theory. The large energy gaps between the highest occupied and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals provide a clear indication of high chemical stabilities of C(60)X(8) derivatives, and moreover, the C(60)X(8) molecules present great aromatic character with the negative nucleus independent chemical shift values. In the addition reactions of C(60) (C(2v)) + 4X(2) → C(60)X(8), a series of exothermic processes are involved, with high reaction energies ranging from -71.97 to -233.16 kcal mol(-1). An investigation on the electronic property shows that C(60)F(8) and C(60)Cl(8) could be excellent electron acceptors as a consequence of large vertical electron affinities. The density of state analysis suggests that the frontier molecular orbitals of C(60)X(8) are mainly from the carbon orbitals of two separate annulene subunits, and the influence from X atoms is secondary. In addition, the ultraviolet-visible spectra and second-order hyperpolarizabilities of C(60)X(8) are calculated by means of time-dependent density functional theory and a finite field approach, respectively. Both the average static linear polarizability <α> and second-order hyperpolarizability <γ> of C(60)X(8) increase greatly compared to those of C(60).

A first-principles study of the effect of charge doping on the 1D polymerization of C(60)

We study the interplay between charge doping and intermolecular distance in the polymerization of C(60) fullerene chains by means of density functional theory-based first-principles calculations. The potential energy surface analysis shows that both the equilibrium intermolecular distance of the unpolymerized system and the polymerization energy barrier are inversely proportional to the electron doping of the system. We analyze the origin of this charge-induced polymerization effect by studying the behavior of the system's wavefunctions around the Fermi level and the structural modifications of the molecules as a function of two variables: the distance between the centers of the molecules and the number of electrons added to the system.

Synthesis and structure analysis of (K[DB18 C6])4(C60)5·12THF containing C60 in three different bonding states

A new fulleride, (K[DB18C6])(4)(C(60))(5)·12THF, was prepared in solution using the "break-and-seal" approach by reacting potassium, fullerene, and dibenzo[18]crown-6 in tetrahydrofuran. Single crystals were grown from solution by the modified "temperature difference method". X-ray analysis was performed revealing a reversible phase transition occurring on cooling. Three different crystal structures of the title compound at different temperatures of data acquisition are addressed in detail: the "high-temperature phase" at 225 K (C2, Z=2, a=49.055(1), b=15.075(3), c=18.312(4) Å, β=97.89(3)°), the "transitional phase" at 175 K (C2 m, Z=2, a=48.436(5), b=15.128(1), c=18.280(2) Å, β=97.90(1)°), and the "low-temperature phase" at 125 K (Cc, Z=4, a=56.239(1), b=15.112(3), c=36.425(7) Å, β=121.99(1)°). On cooling, partial radical recombination of C(60)(·-) into the (C(60))(2)(2-) dimeric dianion occurs; this is first time that the fully ordered dimer has been observed. Further cooling leads to formation of a superstructure with doubled cell volume in a different space group. Below 125 K, C(60) exists in the structure in three different bonding states: in the form of C(60)(·-) radical ions, (C(60))(2)(2-) dianions, and neutral C(60), this being without precedent in the fullerene chemistry, as well. Experimental observations of one conformation exclusively of the fullerene dimer in the crystal structure are further explained on the basis of DFT calculations considering charge distribution patterns. Temperature-dependent measurements of magnetic susceptibility at different magnetic fields confirm the phase transition occurring at about 220 K as observed crystallographically, and enable for unambiguous charge assignment to the different C(60) species in the title fulleride.

Structural stability and electronic property of C68X4 (X=H, F, and Cl) fullerene compounds

A systematic study on the geometrical structures and electronic properties of C(68)X(4) (X=H, F, and Cl) fullerene compounds has been carried out on the basis of density functional theory. In all classical C(68)X(4) isomers with two adjacent pentagons and one quasifullerene isomer [C(s):C(68)(f)] containing a heptagon in the framework, the C(s):0064 isomers are most favorable in energy. The addition reaction energies of C(68)X(4) (C(s):0064) are high exothermic, and C(68)F(4) is more thermodynamically accessible. The C(68)X(4) (C(s):0064) possess strong aromatic character, with nucleus independent chemical shifts ranging from -22.0 to -26.1 ppm. Further investigations on electronic properties indicate that C(68)F(4) and C(68)Cl(4) could be excellent electron-acceptors for potential photonic/photovoltaic applications in consequence of their large vertical electron affinities (3.29 and 3.15 eV, respectively). The Mulliken charge populations and partial density of states are also calculated, which show that decorating C(68) fullerene with various X atoms will cause remarkably different charge distributions in C(68)X(4) (C(s):0064) and affect their electronic properties distinctly. Finally, the infrared spectra of the most stable C(68)X(4) (C(s):0064) molecules are simulated to assist further experimental characterization.

Solvent engineering for shape-shifter pure fullerene (C60)

As a highly anticipated technique for bottom-up nanotechnology, i.e., shape control of pure functional molecules, we here report controlled formation of two-dimensional (2D) objects such as hexagons and rhombi and their selective shape shifting into one-dimensional (1D) rods through solvent-dependent changes of crystal lattice, all from pure C(60). Uniformly shaped rhombi and hexagons were obtained at tert-butyl alcohol/toluene and i-propyl alcohol/CCl(4) interfaces, respectively. In addition, exposure of these 2D nanosheets to water induced selective transformation into 1D nanorods. Nanorhombi were converted to short nanorods upon exposure to water. This shape shift is accompanied by changes in crystalline structures from a mixed fcc/hexagonal to pure fcc lattice, the latter of which is almost identical with morphologically similar C(60) nanowhiskers. Metastable nanorhombi which possess a strained mixed crystalline structure metamorphosize into the more stable short nanowhisker (nanorods). In contrast, the stable nanohexagon of a single lattice (and so less strain) does not undergo shape shifting. These results clearly demonstrate controlled formation of 2D nanosheets with various shapes (hexagons, rhombi, etc.) and selective shape shifting to nanorods (short nanowhiskers) all from pure C(60) molecules by very simple solvent treatments.

Search for More Stable C58X18 Isomers: Stabilities and Electronic Properties of Seven-Membered Ring C58X18 Fullerene Derivatives (X = H, F, and Cl)

Stimulated by recent preparation and characterization of the first C58F18 fullerene derivative, with a heptagon in the framework (Science, 2005, 309, 278), we have performed systematic density functional studies on the stabilities and electronic properties of two different structures C58X18 (A) and C58X18 (B), where X = H, F, and Cl. The large energy gaps between the highest occupied molecular orbitals and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals (between 2.64 and 3.45 eV) and the aromatic character (with nucleus independent chemical shifts from -10.0 to -13.9 ppm) of C58X18 (A) and C58X18 (B) indicate that they possess high stabilities. Further investigations show that the heats of formation of C58X18 fullerene derivatives are highly exothermic, suggesting that adding nine X2's releases much of the strain of pure C58 fullerene and leads to stabilities of the derivatives. Lower in energy and stronger in aromatic character than C58F18 (B), which has been experimentally characterized, C58F18 (A) should also be isolated. In addition, C58F18 and C58Cl18 are predicted to possess large electron affinities, especially for C58F18 (B) and C58Cl18 (B) with values of 3.00 and 3.06 eV, respectively, even larger than that (2.50 eV) of C60F18. Hence, C58F18 and C58Cl18 can serve as good electron-acceptors with possible photonic/photovoltaic application. The IR spectra of C58X18 are simulated to facilitate identification of different isomers experimentally. In addition, the electronic spectra and second-order hyperpolarizabilities of C58X18 are predicted by ZINDO and sum-over-states model. With the addition of 9X2, both the static and frequency-dependent second-order hyperopolarizabilities of C58X18 greatly decrease compared to those of C58.

A DFT study on the dimerization of C62 , H2 C62 , and F2 C62

On the basis of calculations using the density functional theory, we show that C(62), a recently synthesized nonclassical fullerene, will presumably undergo dimerization with various isomers at elevated temperatures. This is shown by calculating the dimerization energy and the activation barrier of the dimerization. Eight possible isomers of the dimer were identified, all of which are more stable than the two isolated monomers. The relative stability of various isomers depends upon the kind of C=C bonds within the four-membered carbon ring involved in the dimerization. In addition, similar calculations were performed for the monomers and dimers of H(2)-C(62) and F(2)-C(62). Six isomers were identified for each of the dimers. Although less pronounced than the case of the C(62) dimer, all isomers of the H(2)-C(62) dimer are appreciably more stable than the individual monomers. Although a large steric repulsion due to F atoms significantly reduces the stability of F(2)-C(62) dimer, its two isomers are still more stable than separate monomers.

D5hC50X10: Saturn-like fullerene derivatives (X=F, Cl, Br)

Based on the recently reported D(5h) C(50), the geometries and stabilities of its Saturn-like derivatives C(50)X(10) (X=F, Cl, Br) have been investigated by DFT method. Compared with C(50), the equatorial carbon atoms in C(50)X(10) have been saturated by halogens and change to sp(3) hybridization to release the large angle strain. Because the equatorial carbon atoms have been taken out of the pi system by the halogens "ring," the C(50)X(10) system has been split into two well-delocalized conjugated annulene subunits, and then the electronic stabilization has been enhanced.

Dimer to monomer phase transition in alkali-metal fullerides: magnetic susceptibility changes

Ab initio calculations have been employed to investigate the peculiar change in magnetic property (from diamagnetic to paramagnetic) of the dianionic C60-dimer phase in a rapidly cooled AC60 samples ( A: alkali metal). We first note that the triplet state of (C60)-22 which was never considered previously is nearly degenerate with the singlet state, and the transition barrier between the two states is reasonably small. This explains the susceptibility increase with an increase in temperature and the magnetic phase transition in the process of the dimer to monomer phase transition.