Sublimation of the Endohedral Fullerene Er3N@C80

TL;DR

This study measures the sublimation enthalpy of the endohedral fullerene Er3N@C80 using mass spectrometry, providing insights into its thermal stability and decomposition processes.

Contribution

It presents the first measurement of the sublimation enthalpy of Er3N@C80 using Knudsen effusion mass spectrometry.

Findings

Sublimation enthalpy Hsub = 237 ± 7 kJ/mol obtained.

Mass spectrum at 1045 K shows molecular stability.

Thermal decomposition processes discussed.

Abstract

The heat of sublimation of the endohedral metallofullerene Er3N@C80 was measured via Knudsen effusion mass spectrometry. The large molecule consists of a C80 fullerene cage which is stabilized by comprising a complex of three erbium atoms bounded to a nitrogen atom and has a mass of 1475 amu. The mass spectrum at a temperature of 1045 K and the relative intensities of the thermal fractions of Er3N@C80 are provided. We also discuss possible thermal decomposition processes for these particles. By measuring the quantity of evaporated molecules in thermal equilibrium through a quadrupole mass spectrometer in a temperature range between 782 K and 1128 K, a value for the sublimation enthalpy of Hsub = 237 +-7 kJ/mol is obtained from the second law method.