Thus they are ideal materials for a new generation of electronic devices. However, before device fabrication can begin, pure materials must be available. Thus my group has focused on the purification, dispersal, processing and chemistry of single-walled carbon nanotubes. Both ionic and covalent solution phase chemistry were demonstrated, with concomitant modulation of the electronic band structure. By further developing these techniques it will be possible for the first time to prepare high purity SWNTs with appropriate alignment of the individual nanotubes that will be ideally suited to device fabrication.
Fullerenes function as electron transporters, and serve as excellent models for nanotube reactivity.
It is therefore essential that our group continue to carry out research to elucidate fullerene chemistry. Current work is directed toward carbene addition chemistry and homofullerenes.