Selective host-guest interaction of single-walled carbon nanotubes with functionalised fullerenes.

Exohedrally functionalised fullerenes have been inserted in single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) with the aid of supercritical carbon dioxide to form peapods; C(61)(COOEt)(2) are encapsulated in SWNTs in high yield, whereas C(61)(COOH)(2) aggregate via hydrogen bonding to form a supramolecular complex, which sterically hinders encapsulation and causes it to adhere to the exterior surface of the SWNTs.

Supercritical fluid-mediated alumination of mesoporous silica and its beneficial effect on hydrothermal stability.

We have investigated the use of supercritical fluids (SCFs) as carriers/solvents during the postsynthesis alumination of mesoporous silica. SCFs were found to be ideally suited for transport of Al into mesoporous silica and to lead to Al-grafted aluminosilicate materials that exhibit exceptional hydrothermal (steam) stability even for highly aluminated materials. The improvements in steam stability arising from the use of SCFs as grafting media (as compared to aqueous or organic solvents) are remarkable, especially for Al-grafted MCM-41 materials with high (Si/Al < or = 10) Al contents.