Electric arc process for making fullerenes
First Claim
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1. A process for making fullerenes comprising:
- (a) providing a carbon vapor generation zone which comprises a first electrode and a second electrode,(b) maintaining the carbon vapor generation zone in an atmosphere consisting essentially of an atmosphere selected to form fullerene molecules,(c) applying sufficient electrical voltage to the first electrode to maintain an electrical arc between the first electrode and the second electrode,(d) providing a carbon source in close proximity to the electrical arc, so that the carbon source is heated by the electrical arc to form a carbon vapor,(e) passing the carbon vapor to a fullerene condensing zone where the carbon vapor is condensed into a solid carbon soot, and(f) recovering fullerenes from the carbon soot.
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Abstract
This invention provides a method of generating fullerenes by vaporizing carbon with the heat from an electrical arc and then condensing a soot from which fullerenes may be recovered.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A process for making fullerenes comprising:
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(a) providing a carbon vapor generation zone which comprises a first electrode and a second electrode, (b) maintaining the carbon vapor generation zone in an atmosphere consisting essentially of an atmosphere selected to form fullerene molecules, (c) applying sufficient electrical voltage to the first electrode to maintain an electrical arc between the first electrode and the second electrode, (d) providing a carbon source in close proximity to the electrical arc, so that the carbon source is heated by the electrical arc to form a carbon vapor, (e) passing the carbon vapor to a fullerene condensing zone where the carbon vapor is condensed into a solid carbon soot, and (f) recovering fullerenes from the carbon soot. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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- 16. A process for making fullerenes comprising vaporizing carbon with a plasma in an atmosphere consisting essentially of an atmosphere that promotes fullerene growth and formation thereby forming fullerenes and recovering said fullerenes.
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