Properties and Applications of Fullerenes and Fulleroid Nanomaterials

By AZoNano

Table of Contents

Introduction

Nanotechnology deals with objects that are comparable in size to atoms, with measurements ranging between 1 and 100 nm. Using nanometre-sized particle ensures that tremendous advances are possible in electronics, medicine and technology. Nanotechnology is a highly promising and rapidly developing area of science today.

Carbon nanotechnology makes use of nanotubes, fullerenes and other similar structures such as carbon framework structures. In the year 1996, Robert F. Curl, Richard E. Smalley and Sir Harold W. Kroto were awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their research in light fullerene molecules C₆₀ and C₇₀.

Properties of Fullerene Molecules

The three-dimensional spherical fullerene molecule has unique chemical, physical, and physico-chemical properties, which include the following:

• The molecule can act as a semiconductor, conductor and superconductor under specific conditions
• Fullerenes can display the photochromic effect, which is a change in light transmission based on intensity
• Ability to form compounds with many different sorts of material including the ability to retain other substances inside the molecule and the ability to absorb free radicals
• Fullerenes are relatively safe and inert, and yet have properties that allow the substance to create active derivatives

This set of special characteristics differs depending on the type of materials with fullerenes or fulleroid fragments and offers a very broad scope for their application.

Nanomaterials offered by ILIP

ILIP CISC follows a closed technological cycle which helps produce the following types of carbon-based nanomaterials:

• Individual fullerene C₆₀ having a substance content of 99.5% and higher, which includes super-pure sublimed fullerene C₆₀
• Individual fullerene C₇₀ having a substance content more than 98%
• Mixture of individual C₆₀ and C₇₀ fullerenes having a substance content of 99.5% and more
• Dry extract of a heavy fullerene mixture having a substance content more than 98%
• Fullerene soot with content of 10-11% of fullerenes
• Washed fullerene soot that remains after fullerenes are extracted
• Mixture of heavy fullerenes that includes C₇₆, C₇₈, C₈₄ and above
• Hydrated fullerene (fullerenol) C₆₀(OH) n (n ~ 18-22).

The fulleroid and fullerenes products are utilised to develop new modifiers and create sophisticated materials having specific improved properties.

ILIP JSC has begun industrial production of carbon-based nanomaterials.

About ILIP JSC

Since 2002, ILIP has been working on the systemic development of carbon nanotechnology. Their unique teams of scientists, designers, analysts and managers have created highly effective manufacturing technologies for a broad range of carbon nanoclusters, as well as technologies for their application.

In addition to its scientific potential, ILIP has extensive experience in commercial sales (including abroad) and the practical implementation of manufacturing technologies and applications of carbon-based nanomaterials.

ILIP is currently completing the construction of a modern flexible high-tech facility, specialising in carbon-based nanomaterials and new high-tech polymers. This plant, located in Kirishi (Leningrad region), will produce polymer products with unique performance characteristics, imparted through modification by fullerene-based nanoadditives.

Their work in the innovations market has resulted in the successful completion of more than 1,500 innovative projects, including ones for the Foundation for Assistance to Small Innovative Enterprises. ILIP is an authorised organisation of the Foundation for the Northwestern Federal District START Program (funding start-up projects).

This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by ILIP JSC.

For more information on this source, please visit ILIP JSC.