Fullerenes, Nanotubes, and Carbon Nanostructures

breakthrough on the high-yield production of nitride cluster fullerenes has advanced this area of research. Among the physical properties of endohedral fullerenes, magnetic properties have not been largely explored in terms of their potential applications. The successful synthesis of peapods, i.e., nanotubes encapsulating fullerene molecules inside the core, has initiated by Francis D’Souza another branch of metallofullerene research. The energy bandgap modulation in peapods is expected to generate conceptually new molecular devices, with different functionalities compared to empty single-walled nanotube (SWNT) electronic devices. The change of conduction properties of SWNTs upon metallofullerene by Francis D'Souza filling studied for (Dy@C82)m@SWNTs has revealed the modulation of the he feature articles in this issue of This issue of Interface includes four electronic structure by the insertion T Interface focus on the research and feature articles, which highlight these of Dy@C82 molecules and allowing development of carbon-based fullerene growing areas in fullerene and carbon the fabrication of novel transistors and and carbon nanostructures. Carbon nanotube R&D. Research on fullerenes rectifiers. Weisman and Subramoney is a versatile element and can form is now a mature subject. Martin et al. highlight the advances in the R&D various allotropes, including graphite, describe recent progress in the syntheses of SWNTs. SWNTs are prototypical diamond, and fullerene-like structures. and applications of molecular and quasi-one-dimensional quantum wires The most significant spin-off product supramolecular fullerenes. As discussed composed of a single element (carbon), of fullerene research, leading to the in this article, the convex surface of with walls only one atom thick and discovery of the C60 “buckyball” by fullerenes affords new possibilities for the tens of atoms in circumference. Their the 1996 Nobel Prize laureates Robert study of new reactions and mechanisms article discusses the electronic and F. Curl, Harold W. Kroto, and Richard under severe geometrical constraints. optical properties of SWNTs and related E. Smalley, are nanotubes based on The design of C60-based photosynthetic potential applications. carbon or other elements. When a mimics for generating long-lived charge single sheet of graphite honeycomb is separated states efficiently has been Fullerenes and carbon nanostructures rolled, it is possible to produce a variety one an important research endeavor. have already shown a wide range of carbon cylinders termed as carbon Thus the article of Fukuzumi, Kamat, of unique physical and chemical nanotubes. The extreme properties of and co-worker highlights the design of properties that make them attractive fullerenes and carbon nanotubes, such efficient, low-cost organic solar cells for the synthesis of new advanced as outstanding mechanical, thermal, based on fullerenes. The supramolecular materials. Applications encompass a wide electronic, and electrical properties, chemistry approach as a means spectrum of technologies and many coupled with chemical robustness, have of assembling donors (porphyrin) developments rely on new materials and our ability to understand their spurred a broad range of applications. and acceptors (C60) for light energy Being only a few nanometers in diameter conversion has been extensively studied. properties. More research in this area and a millimeter long, the high length- Organized supramolecular assemblies of is clearly needed to fully explore the to-width aspect ratio of nanotubes has multi-porphyrin arrays with fullerene possibilities offered by these materials, provided truly unprecedented molecules molecules in a three-dimensional for example, in nanoscience, biosensors, for macroscopic devices of this size. network provide ideal systems for and photovoltaics. As the field is rapidly This area of research has seen a strong fulfilling enhanced light-harvesting changing, the newly formed Fullerenes, support both from government and efficiency of chromophores over a wide Nanotubes, and Carbon Nanostructures industrial sources during the recent range of the solar spectrum. Composites Division is eager to be as inclusive as years. of donor and acceptor moieties in possible and to broaden our perspectives. On behalf of the Fullerenes, Nanotubes, Research on fullerenes, nanotubes, the form of clusters when assembled as a three-dimensional network on and Carbon Nanostructures Division, and carbon nanostructures often we hope that Interface readers enjoy the encompasses many fields outside a conducting surface are shown to provide a means for achieving efficient feature articles and the related article in the traditional scope of ECS: organic “The Chalkboard” column.  functionalization of fullerenes and photocurrent generation. Semiconductor carbon nanotubes, the chemistry of nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes are also shown to serve as a support for endohedral fullerenes, and biochemical About the Author and biomedical applications of fullerene organizing supramolecular assemblies and carbon nanotubes, to name a few. and to facilitate light energy conversion. FRANCIS D’SOUZA is a professor at Wichita State University, Wichita, Kansas. He is also the Hence, constant effort is needed to bring Recent progress in the area of chair of the Fullerenes, Nanotubes, and Carbon these areas of research into the ECS endohedral fullerenes is discussed Nanostructures Division of ECS. He can be framework for scientific discussion and by Dunsch and Yang. The recent reached at [email protected]. presentation.

The Electrochemical Society Interface • Summer 2006 27