Encapsulating C59N azafullerene derivatives inside single-wall carbon nanotubes

Filling of single-wall carbon nanotubes with C59N azafullerene derivatives is reported from toluene solvent at ambient temperature. The filling is characterized by high resolution transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The filling efficiency is the same as for C60 fullerenes and the tube-azafullerene interaction is similar to the tube-C60 interaction. Vacuum annealing of the encapsulated azafullerene results in the growth of inner tubes, however no spectroscopic signature of nitrogen built in the inner walls is detected.