System for bulk separation of single-walled tubular fullerenes using a channeled substrate

摘要

A system for bulk separation of single-walled tubular fullerenes (100) based on chirality is provided wherein an array of longitudinally directed channels (32) are formed on a crystalline substrate (30) to form a separation plate (300). At least one of the separation plate (300) and a solution or suspension of the single-walled tubular fullerenes (100) is displaced relative to the other for exposing at least a portion of the plurality of single-walled tubular fullerenes (100) to the channels (32). Each of the channels (32) exposes portions of the upper surface (38) of the crystalline substrate (30) and the longitudinal direction is selected to be an energetically favored “locking angle” for single-walled tubular fullerenes (100a) of one chiral angle to be adsorbed to the exposed is substrate surface (38). The adsorbed single-walled tubular fullerenes (100a) are subsequently removed from the separation plate (300).

主权项

1. A system for bulk separation of single-walled tubular fullerenes based on chiral angle, comprising:
a container assembly for holding and dispensing a fluid bearing single-walled tubular fullerenes of a multiplicity of different chiral angles; a separation plate defined by a crystalline substrate having a lattice structure being exposed within a plurality of longitudinally directed channels formed on a surface of said crystalline substrate, each of said channels being formed to have a width selected to limit an angular tolerance of single-walled tubular fullerenes to be not greater than six degrees, said longitudinal direction being selected to be at an energetically favored angular orientation of an axis of said lattice structure of said crystalline substrate with respect to an axis of a lattice structure for single-walled tubular fullerenes of one chiral angle to be adsorbed to said crystalline substrate; a transport assembly coupled in fluid communication with said container assembly and having at least one outlet for discharging said fluid bearing said single-walled tubular fullerenes to flow across said separation plate, wherein any of said single-walled tubular fullerenes of said one chiral angle passing into a respective one of said channels being preferentially adsorbed and thereby held to said exposed portions of said upper surface of said crystalline substrate therein; and a collection assembly disposed adjacent to and downstream of said separation plate for receiving said fluid and any of said single-walled tubular fullerenes not adsorbed on said crystalline substrate.