Ambipolar-transporting Coaxial Nanotubes with Molecular Graphene–Fullerene Hybrids

Despite a large steric bulk of C60, a molecular graphene with a covalently linked C60 pendant [hexabenzocoronene (HBC)–C60] self-assembles into a coaxial nanotube whose wall consists of a graphite-like π-stacked HBC array, whereas the nanotube surface is fully covered by a molecular layer of clustering C60. Because of this explicit coaxial configuration, the nanotube exhibits an ambipolar character in the field-effect transistor output [hole mobility (µh) = 9.7 x 10–7 cm2 V–1 s–1; electron mobility (µe) = 1.1 x 10–5 cm2 V–1 s–1] and displays a photovoltaic response upon light illumination.