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Probing the Effects of Solute-Solvent Interactions and Solvent Free Volume on the 13C Spin-Lattice Relaxation of C60

Description: The Experimental Physical Chemistry Program supports Art Rodriguez of East Carolina University and Ned H. Martin of The University of North Carolina at Wilmington in their ongoing measurements of spin-lattice relaxation rates as a function of temperature and field strength, in various organic solvents. Their goals are (i) to determine the magnitude of the chemical shift anisotropy (CSA) and spin rotation (SR) contributions to the spin-lattice relaxation rate of buckminsterfullerene(C60) in various solvents; (ii) to determine the relative importance of solute-solvent interactions and solvent free volume on the magnitude of the CSA and SR contributions; (iii) to model C60 in the various solvents; and (iv) to extend these studies to C70. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxation measurements are one of the most powerful techniques for investigating a variety of condensed phase phenomena. The discovery of buckminsterfullerene and other related fullerenes has generated a great deal of interest into the study of its chemical as well as its physical properties. While a number of researchers have focused on investigating the solid state NMR properties of this molecule, very few details are known concerning the condensed phase carbon-13 spin-lattice relaxation rate and factors affecting this mode of relaxation.

Funder: National Science Foundation

Amount: $172,000

Funding type: grant

Funder scheme: Continuing Grant

Start date: 1997-08-01

End date: 2001-05-31

Investigator: Art Rodriguez

Institution: East Carolina University

Topic: Fullerene Chemistry and Applications

Subfield: Organic Chemistry

Field: Chemistry

Domain: Physical Sciences