Summary of Research Project Results under JSPS FY2001 "Research for the Future Program"

　The current research project has dealt with the so-called nano-carbon materials such as fullerenes, endohedral metallofullerenes, carbon nanotubes and carbon peapods (nanotubes encapsulating various types of fullerenes). The main important results we obtained are the followings: 1. Synthesis of new types of endohedral metallofullerenes such as endohedral metallofullerenes encaging metal clusters and metal carbides. In particular, we have synthesized and purified the first metal-carbide endohedral metallofullerene, (Sc₂C₂)@C₈₄; 2. Synthesis and characterization of brand new types of MRI contrast agents based on water-soluble Gd-endohedral metallofullerenes. In particular, we have found that water-soluble (Gd@C₈₂)(OH)n metallofullerenes exhibit extremely high relaxibity (ca. 20 times higher) as compared with commercially available Gd-DTPA; 3. We developed a system to produce and separate/purify a gram quantity of endohedral metallofulllerenes; 4. Elucidation of growth mechanisms of fullerenes and single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNT). We have successfully observed carbon clusters larger than C₂₀₀ which should play a crucial role in the early stage of the SWNT growth; 5. Real time observation by high-speed video camera of the production and growth of fullerenes and SWNTs. We have found that the growth of fullerenes should be completed in 1 ms after laser ablation of target graphite rods ; 6. Selective production of diameter-controlled SWNTs based on the studies 4 and 5 above; 7. Electronic and structural studies of carbon clusters produced by the so-called laser-furnace technique by means of photodetachment laser spectroscopy.

1.Research Institution		Nagoya University

2.Research Area		Physical and Engineering Sciences

3.Research Field		Advanced Processes

4.Term of Project		FY 1997 ～ FY 2001

5.Project Number		97P00301

6.Title of Project		Developments of Novel Carbon Nanomaterials

Name	Institution,Department	Title of Position
Hisanori, Shinohara	Nagoya University, Graduate School of Science	Professor

Names	Institution,Department	Title of Position
Yohji, Achiba	Tokyo Metropolitan University, Graduate School of Science	Professor
Toshiki, Sugai	Nagoya University, Reseach Center for Materials Science	Research Associate
Toshiya, Okazaki	Nagoya University, Graduate School of Science	Research Associate

Summary of Research Project Results under JSPS FY2001"Research for the Future Program"

Summary of Research Project Results under JSPS FY2001
"Research for the Future Program"