Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
<mark>Journal publication date</mark> | 26/12/2014 |
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<mark>Journal</mark> | The Journal of Physical Chemistry C |
Issue number | 51 |
Volume | 118 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Pages (from-to) | 30260-30268 |
Publication Status | Published |
Early online date | 25/11/14 |
<mark>Original language</mark> | English |
We present compelling evidence pointing to the possible synthesis of unconventional C-66 and C-68 fullerenes in the interior of single-walled carbon nanotubes. The production proceeds from C(60)(-)toluene/benzene clathrates encapsulated inside the nanotubes using heat-driven nanotesttube chemistry. All isomers violate the so-called isolated pentagon rule and are stabilized solely by the proximity of the wall of the host nanotube. We present detailed characterization of the unconventional fullerenes using Raman spectroscopy, C-13 isotope labeling of the benzene molecules, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, and first-principles calculations. Multiple isomers of both C-66 and C-68 are identified in the sample. We argue that our method opens the way to high-yield synthesis of unconventional fullerenes.