Production of mesoporous fullerene (C60) with highly crystalline framework to deal with environment and energy problems

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25790021
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Nanomaterials chemistry
• Research Institution: National Institute for Materials Science
• Principal Investigator: SHRESTHA Lok Kumar 独立行政法人物質・材料研究機構, 超分子ユニット, MANA研究者 (90588922)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: Mesoporous fullerene

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Under this project, I was successful to produce fullerene C60 microcrystals from zero to higher dimensions including newer class of nanocarbon material called mesoporous fullerene crystals with crystalline frameworks. Solvent drying out (upon mild heat-treatment) from the solvated fullerene crystals is expected to play a key role in pore formation. Upon extremely high temperature heat-treatment, the fullerene crystals were converted into a new family of nanoporous carbons having π-electron conjugation within the sp2-carbon robust frameworks. These new nanoporous carbons show excellent electrochemical capacitance and superior sensing properties for aromatic compounds compared to commercial activated carbons.

Free Research Field

Nanomaterial chemistry