New low-temperature method for joint synthesis of C60 fullerene and new carbon molecules in the form of C3-C15 and quasi-fullerenes C48, C42, C40

Abstract

Method for joint synthesis of C60 fullerene and new carbon molecules in the form of C3-C15 and quasifullerenes C48, C42, and C40, alternative to arc-discharge technique, was developed for the first time. The process of fullerenization of benzene molecules into carbon molecules is performed at comparatively low (∼1000°C) temperatures. It is shown that C3-C18 nanoclusters are generated as main components of a monoatomic carbon vapor under conditions that rule out sublimation of carbon. Crystalline substances containing exceedingly active small carbon molecules were synthesized for the first time. The products of benzene fullerenization were studied by methods of mass-spectrometric analysis, electron-probe X-ray microanalysis, and optical microscopy.