Peaks at 720 and 840 atomic mass units were identified by mass spectrometry in a sample extracted from a fulgurite, which is a glassy rock that forms where lightning strikes the ground. The peaks are interpreted as arising from C(60) and C(70) and the associated peaks as produced from other fullerenes. The intense conditions generated by the lightning not only melted the rock it struck and fused the associated soil but also allowed fullerenes to form, presumably from the organic debris in the soil.

Plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition has been used for the deposition of diamond and diamond-like thin films during the last decade with great success. Here we present experimental evidence that a chemical vapor deposition technique can also be used to synthesize other forms of carbon including fullerenes and hydrocarbon polymers. The mechanism of diamond nucleation and fullerene formation appear closely related.Since the discovery that fullerenes form in supersonic molecular beams (7), many techniques (2-9) have been used to produce fullerenes. Out of these many techniques, carbon-arc and combustion methods have been used for commercial production of fullerenes. In the carbon-arc method, yields of 5% to 8% are common, and yields as high as 40% have been reported (JO). It has been a puzzle for some time how a molecule as complex as fullerene can be formed so readily. Various formation mechanisms have been proposed (11)(12)(13)(14). In particular the isolated pentagon rule (JPR) appears to explain many of the experimental observations.Here we present observations of fullerene formation using hot-filament CVD and microwave-enhanced CVD methods. The yields of fullerene-containing soot are low, even though the yields of fullerene from the soot are quite reasonable. Our goals in this research are: (a) to determine the relationship between fullerene formation and diamond nucleation, and (b) to shed light on fullerene formation mechanisms. ExperimentalHot filament CVD A schematic diagram of the apparatus (75, 16) used for this study is shown in Fig. 1. The chamber is constructed of stainless steel with a diameter of 35

Large-scale and low-cost synthesis of single-walled carbon nanotubes by the catalytic pyrolysis of hydrocarbons

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There is considerable debate regarding the potential role of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technologies in reducing Australia's greenhouse emissions. The latest climate change science suggests that major (60% or more by 2050), rapid (peaking within 20 years) cuts in global emissions may be required to avoid dangerous climate change. There are a number of existing abatement options including energy efficiency, various renewable energy technologies, nuclear power and fuel switching to natural gas; as well as emerging options including CCS. We outline a simple technology assessment framework for policymakers to evaluate these different options given the climate change imperative. This framework includes technology status, delivered energy services, present and possible future costs, potential scale of abatement, potential speed of deployment and other possible social outcomes. Application of this framework to CCS suggests that it should be considered as a promising, but still somewhat unproven, option that potentially offers very significant abatement potential and good integration into the existing energy industry. There are, however, some outstanding questions regarding its effectiveness and safety, its abatement is likely to come at significant cost, and it is unlikely to be able to make a significant contribution for well over a decade. The Australian policy implications are that while government support for R&D and Demonstration of CCS is appropriate and should in our view be expanded, the major priority should be to support greater deployment of existing abatement options including energy efficiency, efficient gas-fired generation and cogeneration and renewable energy. Such policy support is noticeably lacking at present.