Electronic and optical properties of C24, C12X6Y6, and X12Y12 (X = B, Al and Y = N, P).

Utilizing first-principles calculations, we studied the electronic and optical properties of C24, C12X6Y6, and X12Y12 fullerenes (X = B, Al; Y = N, P). These fullerenes are energetically stable, as demonstrated by their negative cohesive energies. The energy gap of C24 may be tuned by doping, and the B12N12 fullerene was found to have the largest energy gap. All of the fullerenes had finite optical gaps, suggesting that they are optical semiconductors, and they strongly absorb UV radiation, so they could be used in UV light protection devices. They could also be used in solar cells and LEDs due to their low reflectivities. Graphical abstract Possible applications of doped C24 fullerene.