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Fullerene Nanostructures: Synthesis, Functionalities and Applications
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Fullerene Nanostructures: Synthesis, Functionalities and Applications

A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991). This special issue belongs to the section "2D and Carbon Nanomaterials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2022) | Viewed by 26527

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Suyuan Xie

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
Interests: synthesis, structures and properties of fullerenes and related carbon materials

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Fullerenes are a class of cage-like all-carbon clusters that have rendered chemical, physical, and biological properties. Recently, a wide range of promising applications have been shown for fullerenes and their derivatives in the fields of organic photovoltaics, biomedicines, molecular electronics, and energy storage devices, etc. This Special Issue will cover scientific advances surrounding this kind of outstanding carbon nanomaterial in synthetic methods, structures, assemblies, functionalities, and applications.

We are pleased to invite you to prepare an original research article or a review that covers recent advances on the synthesis, characterization, functionalities, and applications of fullerene-based materials.

This Special Issue aims to collect high-quality contributions of original research papers, review articles, and communications that are relevant to fullerene and its derived nanomaterials.

In this Special Issue, research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following aspects of fullerene:

  • Synthesis of pristine fullerenes.
  • Derivatization and functionalization of fullerene.
  • Endohedral fullerenes.
  • Characterization techniques for fullerenes.
  • Fullerene assemblies.
  • Fullerene electronics.
  • Fullerene materials for photovoltaic.
  • Fullerene materials for energy storage.
  • Biological applications of fullerene.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Suyuan Xie
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Nanomaterials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Fullerenes
  • Fullerene derivatives
  • Endohedral fullerenes
  • Carbon clusters
  • Buckyballs
  • Fullerene photovoltaic

Published Papers (14 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review

10 pages, 2685 KiB  
Article
Capturing the Long-Sought Dy@C2v(5)-C80 via Benzyl Radical Stabilization
by Xinyi Han, Jinpeng Xin, Yangrong Yao, Zhihui Liang, Yongfu Qiu, Muqing Chen and Shangfeng Yang
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(19), 3291; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12193291 - 22 Sep 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1565
Abstract
Endohedral metallofullerenes (EMFs) are one type of intriguing metal/carbon hybrid molecule with the molecule configuration of sphere cavity-encapsulating metal ions/metal clusters due to their unique physicochemical properties and corresponding application in the fields of biological materials, single molecule magnet materials and energy conversion [...] Read more.
Endohedral metallofullerenes (EMFs) are one type of intriguing metal/carbon hybrid molecule with the molecule configuration of sphere cavity-encapsulating metal ions/metal clusters due to their unique physicochemical properties and corresponding application in the fields of biological materials, single molecule magnet materials and energy conversion materials. Although the EMF family is growing, and versatile EMFs have been successfully synthesized and confirmed using crystal structures, some expected EMF members have not been observed using the conventional fullerene separation and purify strategy. These missing EMFs raise an interesting scientific issue as to whether this is due to the difficulty in separating them from the in situ formed carbon soot. Herein, we successfully captured a long-sought dysprosium-based EMF bearing a C2v(5)-C80 cage (Dy@C2v(5)-C80) in the form of Dy@C2v(5)-C80(CH2Ph)(Ph = −C6H5) from carbon soot containing versatile EMFs using simple benzyl radical functionalization and unambiguously confirmed the molecule structure using single crystal X-ray diffraction characterization. Meanwhile, the crystal structure of Dy@C2v(5)-C80(CH2Ph) showed that a single benzyl group was grafted onto the (5,6,6)-carbon, suggesting the open-shell electronic configuration of Dy@C2v(5)-C80. The theoretical calculations unveiled that the benzyl radical addition enables the modulation of the electronic configuration of Dy@C2v(5)-C80 and the corresponding stabilization of Dy@C2v(5)-C80 in conventional organic solvents. This facile stabilization strategy via benzyl radical addition exhibits the considerable capability to capture these missing EMFs, with the benefit of enriching the endohedral fullerene family. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fullerene Nanostructures: Synthesis, Functionalities and Applications)
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9 pages, 1324 KiB  
Article
Carbene Addition Isomers of C70 formed in the Flame of Low-Pressure Combustion
by Fang-Fang Xie, Zuo-Chang Chen, You-Hui Wu, Han-Rui Tian, Shun-Liu Deng, Su-Yuan Xie and Lan-Sun Zheng
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(18), 3087; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12183087 - 06 Sep 2022
Viewed by 1384
Abstract
In the flames during low-pressure combustion, not only a rich variety of fullerenes but also many reactive intermediates can be produced (e.g., carbene, CH2) that are short-lived and cannot be stabilized directly under normal circumstances. These intermediates can be captured by [...] Read more.
In the flames during low-pressure combustion, not only a rich variety of fullerenes but also many reactive intermediates can be produced (e.g., carbene, CH2) that are short-lived and cannot be stabilized directly under normal circumstances. These intermediates can be captured by fullerene carbon cages for stabilization. In this paper, three C71H2 isomers were synthesized in situ in low-pressure benzene-acetylene-oxygen diffusion flame combustion. The results, which were unambiguously characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, show that the three isomers are carbene addition products of D5h-C70 on different sites. The relative energies and stability of different C71H2 isomers are revealed by Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) absorption spectroscopy, in combination with theoretical calculations, in this work. Both the in situ capture and theoretical study of these C71H2 isomers in low-pressure combustion will provide more information regarding carbene additions to other fullerenes or other carbon clusters at high temperatures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fullerene Nanostructures: Synthesis, Functionalities and Applications)
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14 pages, 3085 KiB  
Article
Highly Active Amino-Fullerene Derivative-Modified TiO2 for Enhancing Formaldehyde Degradation Efficiency under Solar-Light Irradiation
by Jingbiao Fan, Tao Wang, Bo Wu and Chunru Wang
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(14), 2366; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12142366 - 11 Jul 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1617
Abstract
Formaldehyde (HCHO) is a ubiquitous indoor pollutant that seriously endangers human health. The removal of formaldehyde effectively at room temperature has always been a challenging problem. Here, a kind of amino-fullerene derivative (C60-EDA)-modified titanium dioxide (C60-EDA/TiO2) was [...] Read more.
Formaldehyde (HCHO) is a ubiquitous indoor pollutant that seriously endangers human health. The removal of formaldehyde effectively at room temperature has always been a challenging problem. Here, a kind of amino-fullerene derivative (C60-EDA)-modified titanium dioxide (C60-EDA/TiO2) was prepared by one-step hydrothermal method, which could degrade the formaldehyde under solar light irradiation at room temperature with high efficiency and stability. Importantly, the introduction of C60-EDA not only increases the adsorption of the free formaldehyde molecules but also improves the utilization of sunlight and suppresses photoelectron-hole recombination. The experimental results indicated that the C60-EDA/TiO2 nanoparticles exhibit much higher formaldehyde removal efficiency than carboxyl-fullerene-modified TiO2, pristine TiO2 nanoparticles, and almost all other reported formaldehyde catalysts especially in the aspect of the quality of formaldehyde that is treated by catalyst with unit mass (mHCHO/mcatalyst = 40.85 mg/g), and the removal efficiency has kept more than 96% after 12 cycles. Finally, a potential formaldehyde degradation pathway was deduced based on the situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectrometry (DRIFTS) and reaction intermediates. This work provides some indications into the design and fabrication of the catalysts with excellent catalytic performances for HCHO removal at room temperature. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fullerene Nanostructures: Synthesis, Functionalities and Applications)
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9 pages, 1712 KiB  
Article
Highly Regioselective Synthesis of Bisadduct[C70] Additive toward the Enhanced Performance of Perovskite Solar Cells
by Muqing Chen, Yanyan Zeng, Gui Chen and Yongfu Qiu
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(14), 2355; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12142355 - 09 Jul 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1212
Abstract
The high-regioselective synthesis of bisadducts based on low-symmetry C70 has been a challenging work due to the large amount of formed regioisomers, which require tedious separation procedures for isomeric purity and block their application in different fields. Herein, we successfully obtained a [...] Read more.
The high-regioselective synthesis of bisadducts based on low-symmetry C70 has been a challenging work due to the large amount of formed regioisomers, which require tedious separation procedures for isomeric purity and block their application in different fields. Herein, we successfully obtained a novel 1, 2, 3, 4-bis(triazolino)fullerene[C70] 2 with high regioselectivity by the rigid tether-directed regioselective synthesis strategy and the corresponding molecular structure was unambiguously confirmed by single-crystal X-ray crystallography characterization. The crystal data clearly show that the addition occurs at the domain of corannulene moiety at the end of ellipse C70 as well as the 1, 2, 3, 4-addition sites located at one hexagonal ring with a [6,6]-closed addition pattern. Furthermore, 2 was applied as an additive of perovskite layer to construct MAPbI3-based regular (n-i-p) perovskite solar cells, affording the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 18.59%, which is a 7% enhancement relative to that of control devices without additive. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fullerene Nanostructures: Synthesis, Functionalities and Applications)
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10 pages, 2987 KiB  
Article
Electrochemically Promoted Benzylation of [60]Fullerooxazolidinone
by Xing-Xing Yan, Chuang Niu, Shi-Qi Ye, Bo-Chen Zhao and Guan-Wu Wang
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(13), 2281; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12132281 - 01 Jul 2022
Viewed by 1156
Abstract
Benzylation of the electrochemically generated dianion from N-p-tolyl-[60]fullerooxazolidinone with benzyl bromide provides three products with different addition patterns. The product distribution can be dramatically altered by varying the reaction conditions. Based on spectral characterizations, these products have been assigned as [...] Read more.
Benzylation of the electrochemically generated dianion from N-p-tolyl-[60]fullerooxazolidinone with benzyl bromide provides three products with different addition patterns. The product distribution can be dramatically altered by varying the reaction conditions. Based on spectral characterizations, these products have been assigned as mono-benzylated 1,4-adduct and bis-benzylated 1,2,3,16- and 1,4,9,25-adducts, respectively. The assigned 1,2,3,16-adduct has been further established by X-ray diffraction analysis. It is believed that the 1,4-adduct is obtained by decarboxylative benzylation of the dianionic species, while bis-benzylated 1,2,3,16- and 1,4,9,25-adducts are achieved via a rearrangement process. In addition, the electrochemical properties of these products have been studied. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fullerene Nanostructures: Synthesis, Functionalities and Applications)
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11 pages, 2090 KiB  
Article
Reversible Diels–Alder Addition to Fullerenes: A Study of Dimethylanthracene with H2@C60
by Mahboob Subhani, Jinrong Zhou, Yuguang Sui, Huijing Zou, Michael Frunzi, James Cross, Martin Saunders, Cijun Shuai, Wenjie Liang and Hai Xu
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(10), 1667; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12101667 - 13 May 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1620
Abstract
The study of isolated atoms or molecules inside a fullerene cavity provides a unique environment. It is likely to control the outer carbon cage and study the isolated species when molecules or atoms are trapped inside a fullerene. We report the Diels–Alder addition [...] Read more.
The study of isolated atoms or molecules inside a fullerene cavity provides a unique environment. It is likely to control the outer carbon cage and study the isolated species when molecules or atoms are trapped inside a fullerene. We report the Diels–Alder addition reaction of 9,10-dimethyl anthracene (DMA) to H2@C60 while 1H NMR spectroscopy is utilized to characterize the Diels–Alder reaction of the DMA with the fullerene. Through 1H NMR spectroscopy, a series of isomeric adducts are identified. The obtained peaks are sharp, precise, and straightforward. Moreover, in this paper, H2@C60 and its isomers are described for the first time. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fullerene Nanostructures: Synthesis, Functionalities and Applications)
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10 pages, 1604 KiB  
Article
Synthesis and Fluorescent Properties of Multi-Functionalized C70 Derivatives of C70(OCH3)10[C(COOEt)2] and C70(OCH3)10[C(COOEt)2]2
by Ke Luan, Lu Wang, Fang-Fang Xie, Bin-Wen Chen, Zuo-Chang Chen, Lin-Long Deng, Su-Yuan Xie and Lan-Sun Zheng
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(9), 1426; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12091426 - 22 Apr 2022
Viewed by 1439
Abstract
Due to the partially reduced π-conjugation of the fullerene cage, multi-functionalized fullerene derivatives exhibit remarkable fluorescent properties compared to pristine fullerenes, which have high potential for application in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). In this study two multi-functionalized C70 derivatives, C70(OCH [...] Read more.
Due to the partially reduced π-conjugation of the fullerene cage, multi-functionalized fullerene derivatives exhibit remarkable fluorescent properties compared to pristine fullerenes, which have high potential for application in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). In this study two multi-functionalized C70 derivatives, C70(OCH3)10[C(COOEt)2] and C70(OCH3)10[C(COOEt)2]2, with excellent fluorescence properties, were designed and synthesized. Compared with C70(OCH3)10 containing a single kind of functional group, both the C70(OCH3)10[C(COOEt)2] and C70(OCH3)10[C(COOEt)2]2 exhibited enhanced fluorescence properties with blue fluorescence emission. The fluorescence quantum yields of the C70(OCH3)10[C(COOEt)2] and C70(OCH3)10[C(COOEt)2]2 were 1.94% and 2.30%, respectively, which were about ten times higher than that of C70(OCH3)10. The theoretical calculations revealed that the multi-functionalization of the C70 increased the S1–T1 energy gap, reducing the intersystem crossing efficiency, resulting in the higher fluorescence quantum yield of the C70 derivatives. The results indicate that multi-functionalization is a viable strategy to improve the fluorescence of fullerene derivatives. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fullerene Nanostructures: Synthesis, Functionalities and Applications)
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10 pages, 3641 KiB  
Article
Photoelectrochemical Response Enhancement for Metallofullerene-[12]Cycloparaphenylene Supramolecular Complexes
by Jie Zhang, Ling Qiu, Linshan Liu, Yang Liu, Peng Cui, Fang Wang and Zhuxia Zhang
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(9), 1408; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12091408 - 20 Apr 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1541
Abstract
The photoelectrochemical properties of three metallofullerene-[12]cycloparaphenylene ([12]CPP) supramolecular complexes of Sc3N@C78⊂[12]CPP, Sc3N@C80⊂[12]CPP, and Sc2C2@C82⊂[12]CPP were studied. It was revealed that the photocurrent responses of these supramolecular complexes show enhancement [...] Read more.
The photoelectrochemical properties of three metallofullerene-[12]cycloparaphenylene ([12]CPP) supramolecular complexes of Sc3N@C78⊂[12]CPP, Sc3N@C80⊂[12]CPP, and Sc2C2@C82⊂[12]CPP were studied. It was revealed that the photocurrent responses of these supramolecular complexes show enhancement compared with those of pristine metallofullerenes, indicating the efficient photocurrent generation and promoted charge carrier transport caused by the supramolecular interaction. The results show that Sc2C2@C82 and Sc2C2@C82⊂[12]CPP have the strongest photocurrents. Then, by comparing the photocurrent intensities of the metallofullerene-biphenyl derivates mixture and the metallofullerene⊂[12]CPP complexes, it was demonstrated that the host–guest interaction is the key factor promoting photocurrent enhancement. At the same time, by observing the microscopic morphologies of pristine fullerenes and supramolecular complexes, it was found that the construction of supramolecules helps to improve the morphology of metallofullerenes on FTO glass. Additionally, their electrical conductivity in optoelectronic devices was tested, respectively, indicating that the construction of supramolecules facilitates the transport of charge carriers. This work discloses the potential application of metallofullerene supramolecular complexes as photodetector and photoelectronic materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fullerene Nanostructures: Synthesis, Functionalities and Applications)
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12 pages, 3878 KiB  
Article
Diversity of Metal—Fullerene Framework Structures Regulated by Metal Salts
by Jingjing Wang, Yang-Rong Yao, Shaoting Yang, Xinyi Zhou, Ao Yu, Ping Peng and Fang-Fang Li
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(8), 1314; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12081314 - 12 Apr 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1473
Abstract
Taking into account the diversity of fullerene ligands and metal salts, metal–fullerene frameworks (MFFs) present a variety of structures. Currently, the structural control of MFFs mainly relies on the design and synthesis of fullerene ligands, while the influence of metal building units on [...] Read more.
Taking into account the diversity of fullerene ligands and metal salts, metal–fullerene frameworks (MFFs) present a variety of structures. Currently, the structural control of MFFs mainly relies on the design and synthesis of fullerene ligands, while the influence of metal building units on the structures has been rarely studied. The present work represents a systematical investigation of fullerene-linked supramolecular architectures incorporating different metal salts. Treatment of a bidentate N,N-donors fullerene ligand (L1) with six metal salts ([Zn(NO3)2·6H2O, Cd(NO3)2·4H2O, Cu(NO3)2·3H2O, Cu(OAc)2·H2O, FeCl2·4H2O and FeCl3·6H2O]) produced six one-dimensional MFFs, i.e., ZnL1(NO3)2(H2O)2 (1), CdL1(NO3)2 (2), Cu(L1)(H2O)2(NO3)2 (3), CuL1(OAc)(CH3O) (4), FeL1Cl2 (5) and FeL1Cl2(FeCl4) (6). Compounds 1–3, built with nitrates with different metal centers (M(NO3)2, M = Zn, Cd, Cu), present a 1D stair-like, 1D zigzag, and 1D linear chain structure, respectively. Compound 4, synthesized with another Cu(II) salt, Cu(OAc)2, displays a dinuclear Cu-Cu connected 1D stair-like chain structure, rather than the single Cu linked 1D linear chain obtained from Cu(NO3)2. Compounds 5 and 6, assembled from iron chloride of different oxidation states (Fe(II)Cl2 and Fe(III)Cl3) reveal a 1D zigzag and a 1D stair-like chain structure, respectively. The results demonstrate the significant influences of metal salts on the structures of metal–fullerene frameworks. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fullerene Nanostructures: Synthesis, Functionalities and Applications)
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9 pages, 1838 KiB  
Article
Tailoring Functional Terminals on Solution-Processable Fullerene Electron Transporting Materials for High Performance Perovskite Solar Cells
by Fu Liu, Zhou Xing, Ya Ren, Rong-Jiao Huang, Piao-Yang Xu, Fang-Fang Xie, Shu-Hui Li and Xinxian Zhong
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(7), 1046; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12071046 - 23 Mar 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2019
Abstract
Widely known as an excellent electron transporting material (ETM), pristine fullerene C60 plays a critical role in improving the photovoltaic performance of inverted structure perovskite solar cells (PSCs). However, the imperfect perovskite/C60 interface significantly limits the promotion of device performance and [...] Read more.
Widely known as an excellent electron transporting material (ETM), pristine fullerene C60 plays a critical role in improving the photovoltaic performance of inverted structure perovskite solar cells (PSCs). However, the imperfect perovskite/C60 interface significantly limits the promotion of device performance and stability due to the weak coordination interactions between bare carbon cages and perovskite. Here, we designed and synthesized three functionalized fulleropyrrolidine ETMs (abbreviated as CEP, CEPE, and CECB), each of which was modified with the same primary terminal (cyanoethyl) and various secondary terminals (phenyl, phenethyl, and chlorobutyl). The resulting CECB-based PSC has a power conversion efficiency (PCE) over 19% and exceptional photo-stability over 1800 h. This work provides significant insight into the targeted terminal design of novel fullerene ETMs for efficient and stable PSCs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fullerene Nanostructures: Synthesis, Functionalities and Applications)
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13 pages, 6123 KiB  
Article
Rubrene-Directed Structural Transformation of Fullerene (C60) Microsheets to Nanorod Arrays with Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Properties
by Ning Chen, Pengwei Yu, Kun Guo and Xing Lu
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(6), 954; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12060954 - 14 Mar 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2191
Abstract
One-dimensional (1D) nanostructures possess huge potential in electronics and optoelectronics, but the axial alignment of such 1D structures is still a challenging task. Herein, we report a simple method that enables two-dimensional (2D) C60 microsheets to evolve into highly ordered nanorod arrays [...] Read more.
One-dimensional (1D) nanostructures possess huge potential in electronics and optoelectronics, but the axial alignment of such 1D structures is still a challenging task. Herein, we report a simple method that enables two-dimensional (2D) C60 microsheets to evolve into highly ordered nanorod arrays using rubrene as a structure-directing agent. The structural transformation is accomplished by adding droplets of rubrene-m-xylene solution onto C60 microsheets and allowing the m-xylene solvent to evaporate naturally. In sharp contrast, when rubrene is absent from m-xylene, randomly oriented C60 nanorods are produced. Spectroscopic and microscopic characterizations collectively indicate a rather plausible transformation mechanism that the close lattice match allows the epitaxial growth of rubrene on C60 microsheets, followed by the reassembly of dissolved C60 along the aligned rubrene due to the intermolecular charge-transfer (CT) interactions, leading to the formation of ordered nanorod arrays. Due to the aligned structures and the CT interactions between rubrene and C60, the photocurrent density of the nanorod arrays is improved by 31.2% in the UV region relative to the randomly oriented counterpart. This work presents a facile and effective strategy for the construction of ordered fullerene nanorod arrays, providing new ideas for the alignment of fullerene and other relevant organic microstructures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fullerene Nanostructures: Synthesis, Functionalities and Applications)
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9 pages, 17390 KiB  
Article
Fullerene Derivative with Flexible Alkyl Chain for Efficient Tin-Based Perovskite Solar Cells
by Chengbo Tian, Chao Sun, Jingfu Chen, Peiquan Song, Enlong Hou, Peng Xu, Yuming Liang, Panpan Yang, Jiefeng Luo, Liqiang Xie and Zhanhua Wei
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(3), 532; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12030532 - 03 Feb 2022
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 2702
Abstract
Fullerene derivatives are considered excellent materials for the extraction and transportation of electrons in the production of efficient tin-based perovskite solar cells (TPSCs). However, it is not clear how the molecular structure of fullerene derivatives affects the efficiency and stability of TPSCs. In [...] Read more.
Fullerene derivatives are considered excellent materials for the extraction and transportation of electrons in the production of efficient tin-based perovskite solar cells (TPSCs). However, it is not clear how the molecular structure of fullerene derivatives affects the efficiency and stability of TPSCs. In this study, the effects of fullerene derivatives, (6,6)-phenyl-C61-butyric acid hexyl ester (PCBH) and (6,6)-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM), with different functional groups, on photovoltaic performance were investigated. The flexible alkyl chain of PCBH effectively improved the film morphology and stability, the electron extraction and transport capabilities, and the interface contact of fullerene and perovskite. As a result, the PCBH-based TPSC yielded a higher efficiency, of 9.21%, than the PCBM-based devices (7.54%). More importantly, the PCBH-based films exhibited higher stability and effectively suppressed the oxidation of Sn2+ by inhibiting oxygen permeation. Therefore, the PCBH-based devices exhibited significantly enhanced stability. This result indicates that optimizing the functional group of fullerene derivatives is crucial for improving the efficiency and stability of TPSCs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fullerene Nanostructures: Synthesis, Functionalities and Applications)
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9 pages, 1316 KiB  
Article
Synthesis of Fullerenes from a Nonaromatic Chloroform through a Newly Developed Ultrahigh-Temperature Flash Vacuum Pyrolysis Apparatus
by Hong-Gang Zhang, Ya-Qi Zhuo, Xiao-Min Zhang, Leng Zhang, Piao-Yang Xu, Han-Rui Tian, Shui-Chao Lin, Qianyan Zhang, Su-Yuan Xie and Lan-Sun Zheng
Nanomaterials 2021, 11(11), 3033; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11113033 - 12 Nov 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2348
Abstract
The flash vacuum pyrolysis (FVP) technique is useful for preparing curved polycyclic aromatic compounds (PAHs) and caged nanocarbon molecules, such as the well-known corannulene and fullerene C60. However, the operating temperature of the traditional FVP apparatus is limited to ~1250 °C, [...] Read more.
The flash vacuum pyrolysis (FVP) technique is useful for preparing curved polycyclic aromatic compounds (PAHs) and caged nanocarbon molecules, such as the well-known corannulene and fullerene C60. However, the operating temperature of the traditional FVP apparatus is limited to ~1250 °C, which is not sufficient to overcome the high energy barriers of some reactions. Herein, we report an ultrahigh-temperature FVP (UT-FVP) apparatus with a controllable operating temperature of up to 2500 °C to synthesize fullerene C60 from a nonaromatic single carbon reactant, i.e., chloroform, at 1350 °C or above. Fullerene C60 cannot be obtained from CHCl3 using the traditional FVP apparatus because of the limitation of the reaction temperature. The significant improvements in the UT-FVP apparatus, compared to the traditional FVP apparatus, were the replacement of the quartz tube with a graphite tube and the direct heating of the graphite tube by impedance heating instead of indirect heating of the quartz tube using an electric furnace. Because of the higher temperature range, UT-FVP can not only synthesize fullerene C60 from single carbon nonaromatic reactants but sublimate some high-molecular-weight compounds to synthesize larger curved PAHs in the future. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fullerene Nanostructures: Synthesis, Functionalities and Applications)
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Review

Jump to: Research

21 pages, 6227 KiB  
Review
Progress in Antiviral Fullerene Research
by Piao-Yang Xu, Xiao-Qing Li, Wei-Guang Chen, Lin-Long Deng, Yuan-Zhi Tan, Qianyan Zhang, Su-Yuan Xie and Lan-Sun Zheng
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(15), 2547; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12152547 - 24 Jul 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2697
Abstract
Unlike traditional small molecule drugs, fullerene is an all-carbon nanomolecule with a spherical cage structure. Fullerene exhibits high levels of antiviral activity, inhibiting virus replication in vitro and in vivo. In this review, we systematically summarize the latest research regarding the different types [...] Read more.
Unlike traditional small molecule drugs, fullerene is an all-carbon nanomolecule with a spherical cage structure. Fullerene exhibits high levels of antiviral activity, inhibiting virus replication in vitro and in vivo. In this review, we systematically summarize the latest research regarding the different types of fullerenes investigated in antiviral studies. We discuss the unique structural advantage of fullerenes, present diverse modification strategies based on the addition of various functional groups, assess the effect of structural differences on antiviral activity, and describe the possible antiviral mechanism. Finally, we discuss the prospective development of fullerenes as antiviral drugs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fullerene Nanostructures: Synthesis, Functionalities and Applications)
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