Fullerene Production from Cathodic Deposits

Abstract

Mechanisms responsible for the formation of fullerenes are still open questions. As with other techniques, arc discharge has also well acknowledged parameters such as the type of the ambient gas and its pressure. It is highly agreed that fullerene forming mechanisms favor 100 Torr of helium pressure. Both above and below this pressure profound decrease in fullerene content would be observed. During the arc synthesis, nanotube containing slag-like deposits form on the cathode. In this work we grew longer deposits and retreated them as anodes in the electric arc. Contrary to the well recognized decrease in fullerene contents below 100 Torr of helium pressure, the soot obtained from retreatment of cathodic deposits had higher fullerene contents, which would point out a change in the reaction pathway.