Formation of crosslinked-fullerene-like framework as negative replica of zeolite Y

In this work, we report the formation of a three-dimensional graphene-based ordered architecture that can be considered as a new carbon allotrope, and as an analogical substance of fullerenes, carbon nanotubes, and graphenes. Significantly large amount of carbon is introduced into the confined nanochannels of inorganic crystal (zeolite Y) by a pulsed chemical vapor-deposition technique, and the subsequent chemical etching produces a carbon as a negative replica of the inorganic crystal. The carbon thus obtained has a unique framework consisting of a three-dimensional ordered array of graphene-based building units with the average molecular formula of C63H4.9O1.2. A wavelength-dispersive soft-X-ray emission spectroscopy reveals its distinct valence electron structure from any conventional sp2-based carbon materials, having similarities to that of fullerene C60. The analysis results suggest the presence of a crosslinked-fullerene-like framework in this carbon. Such a framework is close to carbon schwarzite (a three-dimensional graphene-based framework), which is an as-yet-unsynthesized hypothetic material. The present new material is expected to have specific physical properties, as suggested by its unique valence electron structure.