Ask A Scientist Chemistry Archive

(Created prior to 1993)

Question: I am interested in knowing what kind of research is going on at 
Argonne related to "Buckyballs".  In particular, I am interested in the uses 
that Buckerminsterfullerenes are being put to.
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Since I am not working at Argonne, I cannot tell you what they 
are up to there.  However, one interesting offshoot of "buckyball" research is 
the development of "buckytubes," which are hollow carbon filaments with cross-
sections of atomic dimensions.  A group with NEC in Japan reports making wires 
by filling these tubules with molten lead.  Maybe it is wrong to call them 
wiores; they are sort of like "nano-Twinkies" with a crunchy carbon outside 
and a fluffy lead filling.  These may have some interesting properties . . . 
the research continues.  Other work I have heard of involves using buckyballs 
as synthetic templates, i.e., to help join complex organic molecules together 
as part of a strategy to synthesize a desired compound.
Topper
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I work at Argonne in an area call Materials and Components 
Technology Group (MCT).  I work with the ceramics division of MCT.  Here in 
the ceramics division, we have had a little (very small)interest C60 as a 
superconductor.  I myself am not working on it, but we have one PhD interested 
in the program.  We tend to specialize in superconductors around here, so C60 
as a superconductor fits right into our program.  I do not know how far along 
the project is, but this is about all I can tell you.  There may be other 
projects here at Argonne in other divisions.
cdmurphy
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For the sake of the students, could you elaborate a little on C60 
as a superconductor?  Some questions student might have:  Is C60 a 
superconductor, or do you have to combine it with other elements/chemicals to 
get it to superconduct?  What is the temperature range that C60 materials 
superconduct in?  Do scientists have ideas about why C60 materials 
superconduct?
Topper
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All I know is that we work with pure C60, so there is nothing 
added.
cdmurphy
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