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The effect of atomic nitrogen on the C(60) cage
Hidefumi Nikawa1, Yasuyuki Araki, Zdenek Slanina
1Center for Tsukuba Advanced Research Alliance, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, Japan.
Chemical Communications (Cambridge, England)
|January 12, 2010
Summary
The nitrogen atom encased in C60 (N@C(60)) accelerates the decay of its excited state when exposed to laser flash excitation. This internal nitrogen atom influences the fullerene
Area of Science:
- Physical Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Fullerenes, such as C60, are carbon allotropes with unique electronic properties.
- Endohedral fullerenes, where atoms are encapsulated within the fullerene cage, offer novel functionalities.
- The behavior of encapsulated atoms and their influence on fullerene dynamics are of significant scientific interest.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of an encapsulated nitrogen atom on the excited state decay dynamics of C60.
- To explore the role of the endohedral nitrogen atom in influencing the photophysical properties of N@C(60).
Main Methods:
- Laser flash excitation of N@C(60) molecules.
- Spectroscopic analysis to monitor the decay of the excited state.
Main Results:
- Laser flash excitation of N@C(60) leads to an accelerated decay of the excited state (N@C(60))*.
- The presence of the encapsulated nitrogen atom is identified as the cause for this accelerated decay.
Conclusions:
- The endohedral nitrogen atom significantly influences the excited-state dynamics of the C60 fullerene.
- This finding highlights the potential for tuning fullerene properties through endohedral encapsulation.
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