Small Carbon Molecules and Quasi-Fullerenes as Products of New Method of Hydrocarbons Pyrolysis

Abstract

Previously small carbon molecules C2–C13 were detected only in hot carbon plasma as cations and anions. From clusters, smaller than C60, revealed in mass spectra of carbon vapor only C20 and C36 were synthesized. Therefore the problem of establishment of methods for synthesis of carbon molecules is considered extremely important. Our new method of pyrolysis of hydrocarbons, particularly benzene, created the products which contain small carbon molecules, quasi-fullerenes and their hydrides. A distinctive feature of this method is the opportunity of separate localization of condensed products and soot. Firstly the substances are synthesized which mass spectra of toluene solutions contain intensive peaks with m/z values appropriate to anions of small molecules (C3–C20), their hydrides (C5H2, C10Н4, C14H4, C16H8, C18Н2) and cations of C6, C7, C15, C17, C7H, C8H, C9H, C11H, C18H. Firstly, quasi-fullerenes C21, C23, C33, C40, C48, C52 and C54 are found out in products of pyrolysis. Thus, small carbon molecules, quasi-fullerenes and C60 can be formed in reactionary conditions excluding carbon evaporation.