Noble gas atoms inside fullerenes
Heating fullerenes at 650{degrees}C under 3000 atmospheres of the noble gases helium, neon, argon, krypton, and xenon introduces these atoms into the fullerene cages in about one in 1000 molecules. A {open_quotes}window{close_quotes} mechanism in which one or more of the carbon-carbon bonds of the cage is broken has been proposed to explain the process. The amount of gas inside the fullerenes can be measured by heating to 1000{degrees}C to expel the gases, which can then be measured by mass spectroscopy. Information obtained from the nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of helium-3-labeled fullerenes indicates that the magnetic field inside the cage is altered by aromatic ring current effects. Each higher fullerene isomer and each chemical derivative of a fullerene that has been studied so far has given a distinct helium nuclear magnetic resonance peak. 23 refs., 4 figs., 1 tab.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- OSTI ID:
- 285044
- Journal Information:
- Science, Journal Name: Science Journal Issue: 5256 Vol. 271; ISSN SCIEAS; ISSN 0036-8075
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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