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FIRST Molecules Research Center
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first molecules Research center

Our research efforts.

We focus on creating and studying new types of molecules called Fullertubes and Metallofullertubes. We’ve made significant discoveries—such as finding new Fullertube molecules and showing how adding metals can increase Fullertube production. These findings have generated excitement among scientists, leading to more collaboration and the potential for greatly improved Fullertube yields.

Our research aims to solve the problem of low Fullertube production by comparing different methods, like electric-arc and flame synthesis. One innovative approach involves adding metals to flames to boost Fullertube production, an area that hasn't been explored before. Early results are promising, showing a significant increase in Fullertube content.

Our long-term goals include discovering new molecules, working with other scientists to study them, and creating a network to share these discoveries worldwide. We not only seek to advance Fullertube science but also promote collaboration and inclusivity by involving external partners, post-docs, and graduate students.

Overall, our research on Fullertubes and Metallofullertubes has the potential to greatly impact future scientific research by deepening our understanding of these unique molecules, improving production methods, and fostering a collaborative and inclusive scientific community.

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Funding

The center received funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) through the Research in Undergraduate Institutions (RUI) program. The NSF RUI funding supported our research on Fullertubes and Metallofullertubes, allowing us to conduct groundbreaking studies and engage in collaborative efforts with various institutions and researchers.

Publications and presentations

We have published a significant number of research papers over the last few years. Our center has published papers in the Journal of the American Chemical Society (JACS) and Angewandte Chemie. Additionally, our research has been featured on the cover pages of prestigious journals, including JACS, Inorganic Chemistry, and Chemistry—European Journal.

  • Stevenson, S, and Dorn, H., “Fullertubes: A 30-year Story of Prediction, Experimental Validation, and Applications for a Long-Missing Family of Soluble Carbon Molecules,” Acc. Chem. Res., 57, 15, 2154-2165 (2024)​ https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.accounts.4c00302
  • Bourret, E.; Stevenson, S, and Côté, M., “Anisotropic Contributions in the Chromatographic Elution Behavior of Fullerenes and Fullertubes,” J. Phys. Chem. C. 128, 31, 13283-13298 (2024) http://doi.org/10.1021.acs.jpcc.4c02931
  • Shenoy, F.; Gunda, R.; Noble, C.; Haraguchi A.; Stevenson, S, and Daniel J.,“Fullertubes Inhibit Mycobacterial Viability and Prevent Biofilm Formation by Disrupting the Cell Wall,” Cell Biochem Funct., 42, e3963 (2024) https://doi.org/10.1002/cbf.3963​
  • Jover, A.; Martin-Jiménez, A.; Franklin, H.M.; Koenig, R.M.; Martinez, J.I.; Martín N.; Lauwaet, K.; Miranda, R.; Gallego, J.M.; Stevenson, S.; Otero, R., “Nanotube-Like Electronic States in [5,5]-C90 Fullertube Molecules,” Small, 2307611 (2024) https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202307611
  • Iannace, V.; Sabrià, C.; Schmitt, R.; Feixas, F.; Stevenson, S. and Ribas, Xavi., “Supramolecular Length-Dependent Encapsulation of C90, C100, C120 and C130: a Shape-Selective Approach to Fullertubes Purification,” Journal of the American Chemical Society., 147, 40, 36079-36084 (2025) https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.5c12991

  • Invited Speaker (Keynote Speaker)
    S. Stevenson, “Fullertubes: Current Progress and Latest Isolation of New Molecules” 4th International Conference on Carbon Chemistry and Materials, Barcelona, SPAIN, Nov. 11-13 (2024)​​
  • Invited Speaker
    S. Stevenson, “Fullertubes: Current Progress and Latest Isolation of New Molecules” Joint PRIME and Electrochemistry Society (ECS) Conference, Honolulu, Hawaii, Oct 6-11 (2024)​​
  • Schmitt R. and S. Stevenson, “Separation and Isolation of Rare-Earth Clusters Trapped inside Uncommon Carbon Cages” Joint PRIME and Electrochemistry Society (ECS) Conference, Honolulu, Hawaii, Oct 6-11 (2024)​​
  • Davidson, T. and S. Stevenson, “Rare-Earth Families of Metallofullertubes or Metallofullerenes?” Electrochemistry Society (ECS) Spring Conference, Boston, MA, May 28 (2024)​​
  • Invited Speaker
    Davidson, T, Noble, C.A., Bourret, E., S. Stevenson, “Metallofullertubes or Metallofullerenes: Which Have We Isolated?” Electrochemistry Society (ECS) Spring Conference, Boston, MA, May 26 (2024)​​
  • Dorn, H. and S. Stevenson, “Is the [5,5] C120-D5dFullertube a Metal?” Electrochemistry Society (ECS) Spring Conference, Boston, MA, May 26 (2024)​​
  • Bourret, E., Côté, M. and S. Stevenson, “Predicting the Optical Spectra of Fullerenes with Vibronic Coupling” Electrochemistry Society (ECS) Spring Conference, Boston, MA, May 26 (2024)

  • Journal Cover Selection
    Bourret, E.; Liu, X.; Noble, C.A.; Cover, K.; Davidson, T.P.; Huang, R.; Koenig, R.M.; Reeves, K.S.; Vlassiouk, I.V.; Côté, M.; Baxter, J.S.; Lupini, A.R.; Geohegan, D.B.; Dorn, H.C.; Stevenson, S., “Colossal C130 Fullertubes: Soluble [5,5] C130-D5h(1) Pristine Molecules with 70 Nanotube Carbons and Two 30-Atom Hemifullerene End-caps,” Journal of the American Chemical Society 145 (48), 25942-25947 (2023) https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.3c09082​
  • Liu, X.; Bourret, E.; Noble, C.A.; Cover, K.; Koenig, R.M.; Huang, R.; Franklin, H.M. Feng, X.; Bodnar, R.J.; Zhang, F.; Tao, C.; Sublett Jr, D.M.; Dorn, H.C. and Stevenson, S. “Gigantic C120 Fullertubes:  Prediction and Experimental Evidence for Isomerically Purified Metallic [5,5] C120-D5d(1) and Non-Metallic [10,0] C120-D5h(10766),”  Journal of the American Chemical Society, 144, 16287-16291 (2022) https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.2c06951​v
  • Schüßlbauer, C.M.; Krug, M.; Ullrich, T.; Franklin, H.M.; Stevenson, S.; Clark, T. and Guldi, D.M. “Exploring the Threshold between Fullerenes and Nanotubes: Characterizing Isomerically-pure, Empty-Caged, and Tubular Fullertubes D5h-C90 and D5d-C100,” Journal of the American Chemical Society, 144, 24, 10825–10829 (2022) https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.2c02442​
  • Schiemenz, S. Koenig, R.M.; Stevenson, S.; Avdoshenko, S.M. and Popov, A.A. “Vibrational Anatomy of C90, C96, and C100 Fullertubes: Probing Frankenstein’s Skeletal Structures of Fullerene Head Endcaps and Nanotube Belt Midsection,” Nanoscale, 14, 10823-10834 (2022)  https://doi.org/10.1039/D2NR01870E​
  • Sanad, M.F.; Franklin, H.M.; Ali, B.A.; Puente Santiago, A.R.P.; Nair, A.N.; Chava, V.S.N.; Fernandez-Delgado, O.; Allam, N.K.; Stevenson, S.; Sreenivasan, S.T. and Echegoyen, L. “Cylindrical C96 Fullertubes: A Highly Active Metal-Free O2-Reduction Electrocatalyst,” Angewandte Chemie, 61, e202116727 (2022) https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202116727​
  • Stevenson, S.; Liu, X.; Sublett, D.M.; Koenig, R.M.,; Seeler, T.L.; Tepper, K.R.; Franklin, H.M.; Wang, X.; Huang, R. Feng, X.; Cover, K.; Troya, D.; Shanaiah, N.; Bodnar, R.J.; and Dorn, H.C.. “Semiconducting and Metallic [5,5] Fullertube Nanowires: Characterization of Pristine D5h(1)‑C90 and D5d(1)‑C100,” Journal of the American Chemical Society, 143, 4593-4599 (2021) https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.0c11357​
  • Koenig, R.M.; Tian, H-R.; Seeler, T.L.; Tepper, K.R.; Franklin, H.M.; Chen, Z-C.; Xie, S-Y. and Stevenson, S. “Fullertubes: Cylindrical Carbon with Half-Fullerene End-Caps and Tubular Graphene Belts, Their Chemical Enrichment, Crystallography of Pristine C90-D5h(1) and C100-D5d(1) Fullertubes, and Isolation of C108, C120, C132, and C156 Cages of Unknown Structures,” Journal of the American Chemical Society, 142, 15614-15623 (2020) https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.0c08529 

2023

  • Invited Speaker (Keynote Speaker)
    S. Stevenson, “Fullertubes: Long Predicted, Missing Families of New Molecules are Finally Experimentally Verified and Isolated,” Carbon Chemistry & Materials Conference (CCM), Paris, FRANCE, Oct. 23 (2023)​​
  • Invited Speaker
    S. Stevenson, “Fullertubes: New Molecules and Collaborative Opportunities at ORNL,” Oak Ridge National Lab Users Meeting, Nashville, TN, Aug. 9 (2023)​​
  • S. Stevenson, “Selective Reactivity of Carbon Soot Extract with Aminopropanol: Chemical Purification of New Molecules of Unknown Spheroidal and Tubular Structures,” American Chemical Society (ACS), ACS National Fall Conference, San Francisco, CA, Aug. 17 (2023)​​
  • T.P. Davidson and S. Stevenson, “Discovery and Isolation of Rare-Earth Atoms Trapped in Carbon Clusters: Metallofullerenes or Metallofullertubes?,” American Chemical Society (ACS), ACS National Fall Conference, San Francisco, CA, Aug. 15 (2023)​​
  • Invited Speaker
    S. Stevenson, “Fullertubes:  A Toast and Kampai to the Best of Both Worlds for these New Molecules of Half-Nanotube and Half-Fullerene Endcaps,” Department of Chemistry, Xiamen University, Xiamen, CHINA, July 19 (2023)​​
  • Invited Speaker
    S. Stevenson, “Fullerenes, Metallofullerenes, and Fullertubes:  From Discovery to Applications,” Department of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, CHINA, July 10 (2023)​​
  • Invited Speaker
    S. Stevenson, “Fullertubes,” Festschrift Research Conference in Honor of Harry Dorn, Skelton Conference Center, Blacksburg, VA, June 3 (2023)​​
  • Invited Speaker
    S. Stevenson, “Discovery of Longer Fullertubes: From Synthesis to Isolation,” Electrochemistry Society (ECS) Spring Conference, Boston, MA, May 30 (2023)​​
  • E. Bourret, M. Côté, and S. Stevenson, “Anisotropic Contributions in the Chromatographic Elution Behavior of Fullerenes and Fullertubes,” Electrochemistry Society (ECS) Spring Conference, Boston, MA, May 30 (2023)​​
  • X. Liu, E. Bourret, K. Cover, S. Stevenson, and H. Dorn, “Metallofullerenes, Fullerenes, and Fullertubes: Prediction of Structure Based on Anisotropic Polarizability and Chromatographic Retention Behavior,” Electrochemistry Society (ECS) Spring Conference, Boston, MA, May 30 (2023)​​
  • S. Stevenson, “Fullertubes:  Solving the Mystery of Hidden, Tubular Molecular Carbon and its 30-year Wait for a Missing Separation Method,” American Chemical Society (ACS) National Spring Conference, Indianapolis, IN, March 28 (2023)​​
  • Invited Speaker
    S. Stevenson, “Fullertubes:  A Story of a New Family of Carbon Molecules, their Discovery, Isolation, Characterization and Opportunities for Application Development,” Département de Chimie, Université de Montréal, March 8 (2023)

2022

  • Invited Speaker
    S. Stevenson, “Fullertubes:  From Discovery to Applications,” Carbon Chemistry and Materials (CCM-2022), Nanocarbon; Graphene, Nanotube, Fullerene, Rome, ITALY, Oct. 10-12 (2022)​​
  • Invited Speaker
    S. Stevenson, “Fullertubes: Discovery, Isolation, Properties, and Emerging Applications,” Crystallography Then & Now: The Legacy of Prof. Marilyn, (INOR), ACS Fall 2022 Meeting, Chicago, IL Aug. 21-25 (2022)​​
  • R.M. Koenig and S. Stevenson, “Selective Solubility of Fullertubes with Non-Aromatic Solvents,” 241st Electrochemical Society Conference, Carbon Nanostructures and Devices, Vancouver, CANADA, June 1 (2022)​​
  • C.A. Noble and S. Stevenson, “Detection and Isolation of Isomerically Pure C120 Fullertubes,” 241st Electrochemical Society Conference, Carbon Nanostructures and Devices, Vancouver, CANADA, June 1 (2022)​
  • Invited Speaker
    C. A. Noble, R. M. Koenig, C. A. Ashcroft, H. M. Franklin, E. Bourret (Université de Montréal), and S. Stevenson, “Toward the Isolation of Giant C120-C200 Fullertubes,” 241st Electrochemical Society Conference, Carbon Nanostructures and Devices, Vancouver, CANADA, May 31 (2022)​

2021

  • Invited Speaker
    S. Stevenson, “Isolation of the Higher Aspect Ratio Fullertubes: C100-C180 ,” Pacifichem 2021 Congress, Chemistry of Nanocarbons (#356), Honolulu, HI, Dec. (2021)​​
  • Invited Speaker
    R. M. Koenig, H. Franklin, T. Seeler, A. Sedlaczek, C. Noble, C. A. Ashcroft, and S. Stevenson, “Fullertubes: Isolation of Isomerically Purified and Pristine Samples,” 239th Electrochemical Society Conference. Chicago, IL, June 2 (2021)​​
  • C. A. Ashcroft, R. M. Koenig, C. Noble, A. Sedlaczek, and S. Stevenson, “Chemical Purification and Isolation of New Fullertube Molecules,” 239th Electrochemical Society Conference. Chicago, IL, June 1 (2021)​​
  • Invited Speaker
    S. Stevenson, “Fullertubes: Long-Awaited, Experimental Discovery, Separation, and Isolation of a Missing Family of Pristine, Carbon Molecules,” Highlands in Chemistry Seminar, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, April 9 (2021)​​
  • Invited Speaker, Award Lecture
    S. Stevenson, “Discovery of New Molecules of Tubular Carbon (Fullertubes),” Distinguished Lecturer Award Presentation, Purdue University at Fort Wayne, IN, March 19 (2021)​

2020

  • Invited Speaker
    Koenig, R. M., Seeler, T. L., Tepper, K.R., Franklin, H. M. and Stevenson S. “Chemical Purification of Fullertubes and Isolation of C100-C200 Structures: Tubes or Balls?”. 237th Electrochemical Society Conference. Note: This meeting was cancelled due to public health concerns related to COVID-19, Palais des congrès de Montréal, CA, May 10-14 (2020)​​
  • Koenig, R.M. and Stevenson, S. (2020). “Selective Chemical Reaction of Empty Cage Fullertubes with Variable-Chain Aminoalcohols”. 237th Electrochemical Society Conference. Note: This meeting was cancelled due to public health concerns related to COVID-19, Palais des congrès de Montréal, CA, May 10-14 (2020)​​
  • Franklin, H.M. and Stevenson,S. (2020). “Encapsulated Yttrium Atoms in Carbon Cages: Spheres or Tubes?”, 237th Electrochemical Society Conference. Note: This meeting was cancelled due to public health concerns related to COVID-19, Palais des congrès de Montréal, CA, May 10-14 (2020)​​
  • Seeler T., Koenig, R., Stevenson, S. (2020). “Advances in Fullertube Purification”. 32nd annual Butler University Undergraduate Research Conference. Note: This meeting was cancelled due to public health concerns related to COVID-19, Indianapolis, IN, April 17 (2020)​​
  • Koenig R. and Stevenson, S. (2020). “Chemical Isolation of Large Empty Cage Fullertubes with Various Solvents and Aminoalcohols”. 32nd annual Butler University Undergraduate Research Conference. Note: This meeting was cancelled due to public health concerns related to COVID-19, Indianapolis, IN, April 17 (2020)​ ​
  • Koenig, R. and Stevenson, S. (2020). “Purification of Empty Cage Fullertubes using Straight-Chain Aminoalcohols”. Student Research and Creative Endeavor Poster Symposium, Purdue University Fort Wayne, March 27 (2020)​​
  • Invited Speaker
    Stevenson S., “Chemical Purification of FullerTubes and Isolation of C100-C200 Structures: Tubes or Balls?” PacifiChem 2020, Honolulu, Hawaii (2020)​​
  • Invited Speaker
    Stevenson S., “Chemical Isolation of Fullertubes: Are They Nanotubes or Fullerenes?” Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, February 10-11 (2020)​

2019

  • Invited Speaker
    Stevenson S., “Separation Strategies for Isolating FullerTubes, Metallic Heterofullerenes, and Metallic Nitride Endohedrals,” Chinese National Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China, November 4 (2019)​​
  • Invited Speaker
    Stevenson S., “Isolation of Tubular Carbon ["FullerTubes"]: Fullerenes, Nanotubes, or Neither?” 2019 ACS Southeastern Regional Meeting, Savannah, GA, October 20-23 (2019)​
  • Invited Speaker
    T. L. Seeler, R. M. Koenig, K. R. Tepper, H. M. Franklin, and S. Stevenson, “Nanotubular Fullerenes: Part Buckyball, Part Nanotube,” 236th Electrochemical Society Conference, Atlanta, GA, Oct. 13-17 (2019)​​
  • Invited Speaker
    Koenig, R.M., Tepper, K.R., Franklin, H.M., Seeler, T.L., and Stevenson, S., “Chemical Purification of Nanotubular Fullerenes: Separating Buckyballs from Buckytubes,” 235th Electrochemical Society Conference, Dallas, TX, May 26-31 (2019)​​
  • Stevenson S., Seeler T. L., Koenig R. M., Tepper K. R., Franklin H. M., Liu X., Wang X., and Dorn H. C., “Pristine Carbon Nanowires: Are They Five-Fold Symmetry C90, C100 and C120 Fullerenes or [5,5] End-Capped Carbon Nanotubes?,” 235th Electrochemical Society Conference, Dallas, TX, May 26-31 (2019)​​
  • Seeler T. L., Koenig R. M., Tepper K. R., Franklin H. M., and Stevenson, S., “Purification of Nanotubular Fullerenes: Manipulating Reactivity Differences of Carbon Tubes and Spheres,” 235th Electrochemical Society Conference, Dallas, TX, May 26-31 (2019)​​
  • Invited Speaker
    Stevenson, S., “Chemical Separation of BuckyTubes,” PFW's Chemistry Department Seminar Series, Fort Wayne, IN, April 19 (2019)​
  • Seeler, T.L. and Stevenson S., “Purifying Nanotubular Fullerenes via Reactivity Differences Between Carbon Tubes and Spheres,” 22nd Student Research and Creative Endeavor Symposium, April 12 (2019)​​
  • Invited Speaker
    Stevenson, S., “Nanotubular Fullerenes: Next Generation of Carbonaceous Nanomaterials?” University of Toledo, Department Seminar Series, Toledo, OH, April 2 (2019)
     

2018​

  • Invited Speaker
    Koenig, R.M., Tepper, K.R., Franklin H.M. and Stevenson, S., “Toward the Chemical Isolation of Larger-Size Empty-Cage Fullerenes,” 234th Electrochemical Society Conference, Cancun, Mexico, Oct. 2 (2018)​​
  • Koenig, R.M., Franklin, H.M., Tepper, K.R. and Stevenson, S., “Chemical Enrichment and Isolation of Higher Empty-Cage Fullerenes” 233rd Electrochemical Society Conference, Seattle, WA, May 16 (2018)​​
  • Koenig, R. and Stevenson S., Actual Presentation Title at Conference: “Chemical Purification of C60, C90, and C100 Fullerenes,” [Submission Title: “Chemical Purification of C60 Fullerene”], Undergraduate Research Conference, Butler University, Indianapolis, IN, April 13 (2018).

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Contact the FIRST Molecules Research Center at [email protected] or 260-481-6829.