A fullerene derivative has a structure of formula (1) or formula (2): wherein Ar is a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring, * is a carbon atom at the point of attachment to a fullerene core, X is O, S, Se, or Te, and R is an organic group.

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A fullerene derivative has a structure of formula (1) or formula (2): wherein Ar is a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring, * is a carbon atom at the point of attachment to a fullerene core, X is O, S, Se, or Te, and R is an organic group.

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A single-walled carbon nanotube separation apparatus includes: a separation tank accommodating a single-walled carbon nanotube dispersion liquid containing: metallic single-walled carbon nanotubes; and semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes; a first electrode and a second electrode that are installed in the separation tank; and a partition wall installed between the first electrode and the second electrode in the separation tank and below the separation tank in a height direction thereof.

A single-walled carbon nanotube separation apparatus includes: a separation tank accommodating a single-walled carbon nanotube dispersion liquid containing: metallic single-walled carbon nanotubes; and semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes; a first electrode and a second electrode that are installed in the separation tank; and a partition wall installed between the first electrode and the second electrode in the separation tank and below the separation tank in a height direction thereof.

Quinolines, polyquinolines, polybenzoquinolines, molecular segments of fullerenes and graphene nanoribbons, and graphene nanoribbons and processes for producing such materials are provided. The processes utilize a form of an aza-Diels-Alder (Povarov) reaction to first form quinolines and/or polyquinolines. In some such embodiments polyquinolines thus produced are used to form graphene nanoribbon precursors, and molecular segments and graphene nanoribbons. In many such embodiments the graphene nanoribbon precursors are formed from polybenzoquinolines.

A process for the nitrogen doping of a material includes a set of carbon atoms in the sp.sup.2 hybridization state. The process further includes the material not being oxidized beforehand, then placing the material in contact with dinitrogen. Irradiating the material and the dinitrogen placed in contact with a beam of electrons or of light ions whose energy is greater than or equal to 0.1 MeV, to obtain a material wherein some of the carbon atoms in the sp.sup.2 hybridization state is nitrogen-doped.

A process for the nitrogen doping of a material includes a set of carbon atoms in the sp.sup.2 hybridization state. The process further includes the material not being oxidized beforehand, then placing the material in contact with dinitrogen. Irradiating the material and the dinitrogen placed in contact with a beam of electrons or of light ions whose energy is greater than or equal to 0.1 MeV, to obtain a material wherein some of the carbon atoms in the sp.sup.2 hybridization state is nitrogen-doped.

Methods and systems include supplying pulsed microwave radiation through a waveguide, where the microwave radiation propagates in a direction along the waveguide. A pressure within the waveguide is at least 0.1 atmosphere. A supply gas is provided at a first location along a length of the waveguide, a majority of the supply gas flowing in the direction of the microwave radiation propagation. A plasma is generated in the supply gas, and a process gas is added into the waveguide at a second location downstream from the first location. A majority of the process gas flows in the direction of the microwave propagation at a rate greater than 5 slm. An average energy of the plasma is controlled to convert the process gas into separated components, by controlling at least one of a pulsing frequency of the pulsed microwave radiation, and a duty cycle of the pulsed microwave radiation.

Disclosed are methods for forming carbon-based fillers as may be utilized in forming highly thermal conductive nanocomposite materials. Formation methods include treatment of an expanded graphite with an alcohol/water mixture followed by further exfoliation of the graphite to form extremely thin carbon nanosheets that are on the order of between about 2 and about 10 nanometers in thickness. Disclosed carbon nanosheets can be functionalized and/or can be incorporated in nanocomposites with extremely high thermal conductivities. Disclosed methods and materials can prove highly valuable in many technological applications including, for instance, in formation of heat management materials for protective clothing and as may be useful in space exploration or in others that require efficient yet light-weight and flexible thermal management solutions.

Carbon-based electrode materials including graphite particles bridged by hemispheres of fullerene, as well as methods of synthesizing the carbon-based electrode materials, are disclosed. These carbon-based electrode materials may allow for decreased irreversible capacity loss during cycling in lithium-ion battery systems.