Press Release 2013
Fullerene Crystals with Bimodal Pore Architectures
A research group headed by MANA Scientist Dr. Lok Kumar Shrestha of the Supermolecules Unit, in collaboration with MANA Independent Scientist Dr. Yusuke Yamauchi for the first time demonstrated template-free novel mesoporous carbon material: fullerene (C60) crystals with bimodal pore architectures and having highly crystallized framework. Experiments have proven that this novel meso- and macroporous material show better electrochemical performance compared to pristine C60 due to higher electrochemically active surface areas.
In this research, novel fullerene (C60) crystals with bimodal mesoporous and macroporous structures composed of a highly crystallized framework has prepared by using a liquid-liquid interfacial precipitation (LLIP) method involving the interface between isopropyl alcohol (IPA) and a saturated solution of C60 in a mixture of benzene and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). The resulting mesoporous C60 exhibits two-dimensional (2D) hexagonal plate morphology.
Porosity and electrochemically active surface area could be flexibly controlled by increasing the mixing fraction of CCl4 and benzene. The synergistic effect of mixing solvents (CCl4 and benzene) is mainly responsible for the formation of such porous structure. Otherwise, in an individual IPA/CCl4 and IPA/benzene system, 2D plate like and 1D nanowhiskers morphology without any pores are observed. In solution-based crystallization (LLIP method), solvent molecule gets entrapped during crystallization, which upon slow release/or evaporation creates a porous structure. It is expected that this methodological innovation will be a milestone for the production of highly crystalline carbon-based materials offering better performance in catalytic, electrochemical, and sensing properties.
In this research, novel fullerene (C60) crystals with bimodal mesoporous and macroporous structures composed of a highly crystallized framework has prepared by using a liquid-liquid interfacial precipitation (LLIP) method involving the interface between isopropyl alcohol (IPA) and a saturated solution of C60 in a mixture of benzene and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). The resulting mesoporous C60 exhibits two-dimensional (2D) hexagonal plate morphology.
Porosity and electrochemically active surface area could be flexibly controlled by increasing the mixing fraction of CCl4 and benzene. The synergistic effect of mixing solvents (CCl4 and benzene) is mainly responsible for the formation of such porous structure. Otherwise, in an individual IPA/CCl4 and IPA/benzene system, 2D plate like and 1D nanowhiskers morphology without any pores are observed. In solution-based crystallization (LLIP method), solvent molecule gets entrapped during crystallization, which upon slow release/or evaporation creates a porous structure. It is expected that this methodological innovation will be a milestone for the production of highly crystalline carbon-based materials offering better performance in catalytic, electrochemical, and sensing properties.
Fig. Synthetic route of producing mesoporous crystalline fullerene using a liquid-liquid
Further information
Publication/Affiliations
Lok Kumar Shresutha1, 2, Yusuke Yamauchi1, 3, 4, Jonathan P. Hill1, Kun’ichi Miyazawa5，and Katsuhiko Ariga1, 3, "Fullerene Crystals with Bimodal Pore Architectures Consisting of Macropores and Mesopores", J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2013, 135, 586–589
- World Premier International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (WPI-MANA), National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS)
- International Center for Young Scientists (ICYS), NIMS
- PRESTO & CREST, Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Waseda University
- Fullerene Engineering Group, Materials Processing Unit, NIMS
Contact information
For more detail about research
Yusuke Yamauchi, Independent Scientist, MANA, NIMS
TEL:+81-29-860-3354 (ext. 8456)
E-mail: <Yamauchi.Yusuke
nims.go.jp>
Lok Kumar Shrestha, MANA Scientist, MANA, NIMS
TEL:+81-29-860-4597
E-mail: <SHRESTHA.Lokkumarnims.go.jp>
TEL:+81-29-860-3354 (ext. 8456)
E-mail: <Yamauchi.Yusuke
nims.go.jp>Lok Kumar Shrestha, MANA Scientist, MANA, NIMS
TEL:+81-29-860-4597
E-mail: <SHRESTHA.Lokkumar
nims.go.jp>For general inquiry
Public Relations Office, NIMS
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TEL:+81-29-859-2026 FAX:+81-29-859-2017