Dimerization of Radical-Anions: Nitride Clusterfullerenes versus Empty Fullerenes

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Alexey A. Popov - , Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden, Lomonosov Moscow State University (Author)
  • Stanislav M. Avdoshenko - , TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Gianaurelio Cuniberti - , Chair of Materials Science and Nanotechnology, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Div IT Convergence Engn, Natl Ctr Nanomat Technol (Author)
  • Lothar Dunsch - , Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (Author)

Abstract

In contrast with empty fullerenes, nitride clusterfullerenes usually exhibit irreversible reduction steps at moderate electrochemical scan rates. However, these reduction steps are chemically reversible, indicating that reversible follow-up reaction takes place. To explain this phenomenon, we analyze in this work if anion-radicals of nitride clusterfullerenes are more prone to dimerization than anion-radicals of empty fullerenes. Extensive DFT computations are performed to find the most stable dianionic dimeric structures of Sc3N@C-68, Sc3N@C-80, Sc3N@C-80(CF3)(2), [5,6] and [6,6] pyrrolidine adducts of Sc3N@C-80 and Y3N@C-80, a series of Y3N@C-2n (2n = 78, 80, 84, 86, 88), as well as those of empty fullerenes C-60, C-70, and C-84. Dimerization energies of the most stable isomers are computed in the gas phase, with the use of van der Waals corrections, and in solution. It is found that dianionic dimers of nonderivatized nitride clusterfullerenes are substantially more stable than those of empty fullerenes, which can be an explanation of the electrochemical irreversibility of the former.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1592-1600
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Physical Chemistry Letters
Volume2
Issue number13
Publication statusPublished - 7 Jul 2011
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

Scopus 79960277619
WOS 000292893400019

Keywords

Keywords

  • Homo-lumo-gap, Endohedral fullerenes, Trimetallic nitride, Trifluoromethyl derivatives, Electrochemical properties, Structure elucidation, Electronic-structure, Redox properties, M3n-at-c-80 m, X-ray