We report the molecule-by-molecule spectroscopy of individual fullerenes by means of electron spectroscopy based on scanning transmission electron microscopy. Electron energy-loss fine structure analysis of carbon 1s absorption spectra is used to discriminate carbon allotropes with known symmetries. C(60) and C(70) molecules randomly stored inside carbon nanotubes are successfully identified at a single-molecular basis. We show that a single molecule impurity is detectable, allowing the recognition of an unexpected contaminant molecule with a different symmetry. Molecules inside carbon nanotubes thus preserve their intact molecular symmetry. In contrast, molecules anchored at or sandwiched between atomic BN layers show spectral modifications possibly due to a largely degraded structural symmetry. Moreover, by comparing the spectrum from a single C(60) molecule and its molecular crystal, we find hints of the influence of solid-state effects on its electronic structure.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.113.185502 | DOI Listing |
Small Methods
January 2025
Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for the Green Preparation and Application of Functional Materials, Hubei University, Wuhan, 430062, P. R. China.
The insufficient density and discontinuity of solar energy of photothermal superhydrophobic flexible film seriously affect the practical application. Light energy harvesting and heat energy storage are effective ways to solve this problem. Inspired by the viscous temperature-regulating material within the inflorescence of Lobelia telekii and the arrangement of bracts on its surface, a flexible film for photoheat storage is proposed that integrated a three-order photoheat trap and one-order heat storage.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Inorg Biochem
January 2025
Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA. Electronic address:
Due to its commercial availability and well-defined structure, the interaction between bovine protein β-lactoglobulin (βLG) and a wide variety of non-native ligands - including transition metal complexes - has been explored, but its application as an artificial metalloenzyme scaffold is limited. This protein is hypothesized to transport fatty acids and other nutrients during juvenile development, and it binds hydrophobic ligands inside a binding pocket constructed upon an 8-stranded β-barrel, called the 'calyx'. Herein, we compare the binding behavior of two rhenium(anthracene-bispyridine) ('Anth-py') tricarbonyl complexes, one with a 12‑carbon chain appended to the ligand scaffold ('Anth-py') to βLG.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMaterials (Basel)
January 2025
College of Civil Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China.
The global asphalt production growth rate exceeded 10% in the past decade, and over 90% of the world's road surfaces are generated from asphalt materials. Therefore, the issue of asphalt aging has been widely researched. In this study, the aging of asphalt thin films under various natural conditions was studied to prevent the distortion of indoor simulated aging and to prevent the extraction of asphalt samples from road surfaces from impacting the aged asphalt.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMaterials (Basel)
January 2025
College of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China.
Ensuring long-term wellbore integrity is critical for carbon dioxide geological storage. Ordinary Portland cement (PC) is usually used for wellbore primary cementing and plug operation, and set cement is easily corroded by acidic fluids, such as carbon dioxide, in underground high-temperature and high-pressure (HTHP) environments, resulting in a decrease in the mechanical properties and an increase in permeability. In order to achieve long-term wellbore integrity in a CO-rich environment This study introduces materials such as thermosetting vinyl ester resin (TSR), filler composite resin (FCR), and low-cost resin cement (RC).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSheng Wu Gong Cheng Xue Bao
January 2025
College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, Zhejiang, China.
Concrete is widely used in building construction, civil engineering, roads, bridges, etc., but concrete cracking remains a major issue in the engineering industry. To develop an effective and feasible concrete repair technology, this study combined microbial and microencapsulation technologies to prepare a multi-layer compound microcapsule using the piercing method.
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