At the conception of this research, a separation methodology for obtaining purified mctallofullerene [A<sub>m</sub>@C<sub>2n</sub>, m = # of metal atoms, A, and C<sub>2n</sub> = # of carbons in the surrounding cage] samples was not yet developed. Isolation of these metal-encapsulated fullerenes was strongly desired for characterization of their physical and chemical properties. Predicted applications for these novel species include their use as possible superconductors, catalysts, and non-linear optical devices. However, initial purification efforts have been hindered by several difficulties. These factors include a low abundance (< 1%) in the raw extract, uncertain stability in aerobic environments, co-elution of A<sub>m</sub>@C<sub>2n</sub> with empty-cage fullerenes, and the need for selective chromatographic detection.
In this research, these difficulties have been overcome with the development of a continuous-flow, on-line HPLC-EPR apparatus. Advantages include a selective, non-invasive detector with chromatographic separations being performed in a controlled anaerobic environment. This on-line approach permits the selective detection of only those metallofullerenes with an odd-number of encapsulated atoms. The ability to continually monitor separations of these paramagnetic species ultimately permits the optimization of chromatographic parameters. The methodology developed from this on-line HPLC-EPR approach has ultimately resulted in purified empty-cage (C₆₀, C₇₀...C₉₆) and metallofullerene samples (Sc₂@C₇₄, Sc₂@C₇₆, Sc₂@C₇₈, Sc₂@C₈₀, Sc₂@C₈₂, Sc₂@C₈₄ - two isomers, Sc₂@C₈₆, Sc₂@C₈₈, Sc₂@C₉₀, Sc₃@C₈₂, Sc₄@C₈₂, La₂@C₇₂, Er@C₈₂, Er₂@C₈₂ - two isomers, and Er₂@C₉₂). / Ph. D.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:VTETD/oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/29176 |
| Date | 03 October 2005 |
| Creators | Stevenson, Steven A. |
| Contributors | Chemistry, Dorn, Harry C., Anderson, Mark R., Brewer, Karen J., Taylor, Larry T., Bell, Harold M. |
| Publisher | Virginia Tech |
| Source Sets | Virginia Tech Theses and Dissertation |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Dissertation, Text |
| Format | xx, 171 leaves, BTD, application/pdf, application/pdf |
| Rights | In Copyright, http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ |
| Relation | OCLC# 34648512, LD5655.V856_1995.S748.pdf |
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