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Published January 6, 1992 | public
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Synthesis of C_(60) from Small Carbon Clusters

Heath, James R. ORCID icon
Others:
Hammond, George S.
Kuck, Valerie J.
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Abstract

A model based on experiment and ab initio theory for the high-yield carbon-arc synthesis of C_(60) and other fullerenes is presented. Evidence that is given indicates that the synthesis must start with the smallest units of carbon (atoms, dimers, etc.). The model is then broken into four steps: (1) the growth of carbon chains up to length C_(10) from initial reactants present in the carbon vapor, (2) growth from chains into monocyclic rings (C_(10)—C_(20)), (3) production and growth of three-dimensional reactive carbon networks (C_(21)—C_x, x = 30—40), and (4) growth of small fullerene cages via a closed-shell mechanism that exclusively produces C_(60), C_(70), and the higher fullerenes as the stable products.

Additional Information

© 1992 American Chemical Society. Published in print 6 January 1992. Received August 12, 1991. Much of the work presented here was generously supported by grants from the National Science Foundation, the Office of Naval Research, and the NASA Innovative Research Grants Program. I acknowledge the NASA SETI Foundation for my own support. In addition, I thank R. J. Saykally for stimulating discussions, and, in particular, for pointing out the importance of puckered monocyclic rings. I also acknowledge R. E. Smalley for helpful discussions, especially concerning the open-shell growth mechanisms of Step 4. I acknowledge the assistance of J. Hawkins and A. Meyer in providing the apparatus for purification of the isotopically enriched material.

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