Isolation of a Small Carbon Nanotube: The Surprising Appearance ofD_(5h)(1)-C_(90)

摘要

Since the macroscopic synthesis of C_(60) and C_(70) in 1990, the fullerene family has drawn attention with potential applications in a wide range of scientific and industrial areas. C_(60), C_(70), C_(76), C_(78), and C_(84) have become well-known; however, the carbon soot from arc generators contains small amounts (generally less than 1 %) of higher fullerenes. The isolation of these higher fullerenes in isomerically pure form is challenging, especially since the number of isomers that follow the isolated-pentagon rule (IPR) increases as the size of the fullerene cage expands. The isolated-pentagon rule requires that each pentagon be surrounded by five hexagons to avoid strain-inducing pentagon-pentagon contact.