Corannulene is a carbon molecule similar in shape to the C60 fullerene – or buckyball. However, where C60 is football like, corannulene has a half spherical configuration.
C60 contains special 'empty states' called buckyball superatom states – or BSS – capable of accepting electrons, but they have very high energies, which makes them difficult to exploit in electronic devices. "In fullerene, the energy levels of the BSS type capable of accommodating 'travelling electrons' are difficult to achieve energetically," said Layla Martin-Samos from SISSA. "Corannullene, on the other hand, seems to be much better suited to the purpose."
Theoretical and simulation based observations show the BSS in corannulene are found at much lower energy levels and can therefore be accessed more easily. "This makes the material an excellent prospective candidate for the construction of electronic circuits" continues Martin-Samos. "In fact, if we put corannulene molecules next to one another in a row, electrons will flow easily from one to the next, forming a sort of tunnel which makes up the circuit."
