A research group led by Nagoya University, Tohoku University, ideal star Inc., Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute (JASRI), and RIKEN has first determined the single-crystal structure of C60 fullerene that encapsulates a lithium ion (Li@C60) using beam line BL02B1 of SPring-8. Li@C60, a spherical molecule, has been synthesized several million times as much as previously reported quantities and highly purified using a newly developed method.   The achievement is expected to accelerate industrial application of various endohedral metallofullerenes including Li@C60.

 The research result shows that a possible stable supply and industrial application of highly-purified samples of metal endohedral C60 fullerene using C60 that is synthesized in large quantity as a starting material will pave the way for function control and application development of fullerene.  This is a pioneering study of many research results to be reported on metal endohedral C60 fullerene.  The result has been published online in Nature Chemistry on June 20, 2010.  The paper’s title is “A Layered Ionic Crystal of Polar Li@C60 Superatoms.”

More Information (Japanese)

[Contact]
Hiromi Tobita, Professor
Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University
TEL: +81-22-795-6539, FAX: +81-22-795-6543

Hiroshi Sawa, Professor
Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University
TEL: +81-52-789-4453, FAX: +81-52-789-3724

Yasuhiko Kasama, Representative Director ideal star Inc.
TEL: +81-22-303-7336, FAX: +81-22-303-7339

Kunihisa Sugimoto, Fellow
Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute (JASRI)
TEL: +81-791-58-0802, FAX: +81-791-58-2717

(Public Relations)
Toshiaki Hiramatsu
Public Relations Office, Nagoya University
TEL: +81-52-789-2016, FAX: +81-52-788-6272

Public Relations Office, JASRI
TEL: +81-791-58-2785, FAX: +81-791-58-2786

Public Relations Office, RIKEN
TEL: +81-48-467-9272, FAX: +81-48-462-4715

Naoki Konno
Management Planning Office, idea star Inc.
TEL: +81-22-303-7336, FAX: +81-22-303-7339