ABSTRACT
Endohedral metallofullerenes (EMFs) are fascinating nanomaterials composed of a metal or a metal cluster encapsulated inside a carbon cage. Their unusual structures are stabilized through charge transfer between the metal and the cage, and exciting electronic, electrochemical, magnetic, and optical properties arise from this combination. These materials have been proposed for applications in photovoltaics, owing to their suitable bandgap with polymeric electron donors; in medicine, owing to their paramagnetic and photosensitizing properties; and in quantum information processing, owing to their exceptionally long spin lifetimes. In this chapter, we present insights on three topical areas: the optical properties of endofullerenes, their surface functionalization, and their potential for biomedical applications. We also critically discuss how they stand against other carbon and inorganic nanomaterials.
