A STUDY ON THE THERMAL STABILITY TO 1000°C OF VARIOUS CARBON ALLOTROPES AND CARBONACEOUS MATTER BOTH UNDER NITROGEN AND IN AIR

The thermal behavior of graphite, C₆₀ fullerene, fullerene black (carbon soot containing fullerenes), extracted fullerene black and diamond has been analyzed to 1000°C by TGA-DTA (thermogravimetric analysis and differential thermal analysis) under a nitrogen flow at a heating rate of 20°C/min. Very small weight losses have been recorded in the case of graphite and diamond. Furthermore no diamond graphitization has been observed. The sublimation of pure C₆₀ and the fullerene fraction of fullerene black (both pristine and extracted) has been observed and discussed.

The combustion reaction in air flow of graphite, C₆₀ and C₇₀ fullerenes, fullerene black (both unextracted and extracted), carbon nanotubes and diamond has been studied by TGA-DTA at a heating rate of 20°C/min. C₇₀ fullerene and fullerene black have been found to be the most reactive carbon materials with O₂. The role played by C₇₀ in the degradation of fullerites has been discussed. Among the carbon materials examined, the best resistance to O₂ attack has been shown by diamond and carbon nanotubes. The behavior of graphite is intermediate between diamond and fullerene blacks. The behavior of C₆₀ fullerene appears closer to that of graphite although it appears to be more reactive with O₂. Samples of graphite and carbon blacks N375 and N234 have been studied by TGA-DTA in air flow before and after a radiation treatment with neutrons or γ radiation. The effect of the radiation damage in the combustion reaction of these carbon materials has been discussed.     

AN FT-ICR STUDY ON LASER ABLATION OF GRAPHITE AND CARBON BLACK TARGETS: COSMOCHEMICAL IMPLICATIONS

Graphite and carbon black samples were laser ablated in an FT-ICR (Fourier transform-ion cyclotron resonance spectrometer) by Nd-YAG laser under high vacuum in conditions recalling those existing in the interstellar medium. It is shown that graphite gives a regular sequence of polyyne and cyclopolyyne chains from C₁₀ to C₂₇ and additionally produces 2% of C₆₀ fullerene. When carbon black is used in place of graphite under the same conditions, no C₆₀ fullerene was produced and also the sequence of polyyne species generated was very irregular. If really carbon black structure and elemental composition approaches more closely than pure graphite the structure of the carbon dust, we can predict that C₆₀ fullerene should not be produced from the thermal decomposition of this dust in high vacuum.     

Fullerene Research in Poland

Main results of the investigations of fullerene and its derivatives are briefly reviewed. Such topics as plasma spectroscopy, fullerenes and nanotubes formation, C₆₀ carbyne knots, fullerene reduction and doping, charge transfer states and electroabsorption of C₆₀, electrical conductivity, superconductivity, ESR properties, fullerene clathrates, C₆₀/C₇₀ complexes with organic donors, fullerene adducts, hydrogenated fullerenes, metallofullerenes and carbon nanotubes are discussed.     

He Ion Bombardment of C70 Fullerene: An FT-IR and Raman Study

C₇₀ fullerene films deposited on a silicon substrate have been bombarded with He⁺ ions at 30 keV at room temperature in vacuum. The structural changes undergone by C₇₀ have been followed by both FT-IR and Raman spectroscopy. The results have been compared to the behavior of C₆₀ fullerene and discussed in an astrochemical context. The main conclusion is that C₇₀, contrary to C₆₀, does not form oligomers at low radiation dose but it is directly and gradually degraded to amorphous carbon (carbon black).     

C60 and Giant Fullerenes in Soot Condensed in Vapors with Variable C/H2 Ratio

A transmission electron microscope (TEM) study of individual soot grains forming fluffy carbon particles produced using the arc-discharge technique revealed close-packed arrangements of single-wall ring structures with average diameters of 0.7, 1.1, 3.0, 5.5, and 8.2 nm. These structures were hypothesized to be C₆₀ and giant, C₅₄₀, C₉₆₀, and C₁₅₀₀, fullerenes that could form by coalescence during condensation and soot agglomeration, although in situ solid-state growth cannot be excluded. Mass spectroscopy and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) chromatography of the samples confirmed the presence of C₆₀ fullerene in all samples giving confidence to the giant fullerene growth scenario. Our results suggest that fullerenes could be common in soot grains produced by this technique as well as being an important carbon phase in C-rich accretion disks around young stellar objects and among the dust in the interstellar medium.     

Solubility of Fullerene C60 and C70 in Toluene, o-Xylene and Carbon Disulfide at Various Temperatures

The solubilities of fullerene C₆₀ and C₇₀ in toluene, o-xylene and carbon disulfide between the melting point and boiling point of the solvents, respectively, have been measured. The temperature dependent solubility of C₆₀ displays anomalous behaviors. A solubility maximum of C₆₀ around 0 °C for toluene and carbon sulfide and around 30 °C for o-xylene was observed. The temperature-dependent solubility of C₇₀ behaves normally for all the three solvents studied.     

GENERATION OF HIGHER FULLERENES FROM LASER ABLATION OF CARBYNE AND C60 PHOTOPOLYMER ASTROCHEMICAL IMPLICATIONS

Laser ablation of targets of carbonaceous matter containing carbyne nanodomains (the sp hybridised carbon chains) or targets of C₆₀ photopolymer produced carbon clusters which have been detected by FT-ICR (Fourier-Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance) mass spectrometer. When the carbonaceous matter containing carbyne has been employed as laser target, no C₆₀ has been generated but only fullerene cages from C₇₄ up to C₁₂₄. Larger cages were also obtained but with odd number. Starting from C₆₀ photopolymer, laser ablation regenerates free C₆₀ and creates a sequence of C₆₀ superior homologues all possessing even number and each member of the series is separated from the preceding and the following member by the loss or by the addition respectively of a C₂ unit. Fullerenes up to C₁₆₂ have been recorded. The implications about the presence of free C₆₀ fullerene in the interstellar and circumstellar space, its formation from carbyne chains and its stability towards its photopolymerization tendency and its regeneration from the photopolymer together with its superior homologues have been discussed thoroughly in the present paper.     

Optical Emission Study of RF Thermal Plasma During Fullerene Synthesis

Results on studies of molecular spectra emitted in the initial stages of fullerene synthesis during processing of graphite powder in RF thermal plasma conditions are presented in this work. CN—usually present in carbon plasmas—and C₂ were found as dominant molecular species. The role of CN radicals on the fullerene formation was discussed in detail. Intensities of CN and C₂ lines were studied against the composition of gas phase and the feed rate of graphite powder. The rotational-vibrational temperatures of CN species were calculated by fitting the experimental spectra to the simulated ones. It was concluded that in the plasma region CN radicals could be formed by the reaction of C₂ with atomic nitrogen at smaller loads. This reaction lowered the yield of fullerenes. At larger loads, C₂ formation was decreased due to lower temperature of the particles compared to smaller load. The CN radicals were produced by the surface reaction of the hot carbon particles with nitrogen atoms. Results confirmed that for effective fullerene synthesis, the nitrogen content of the precursors and the plasma gases should be minimized.     

FORMATION OF FULLERENES AND CARBON CLUSTERS BY LASER IRRADIATION OF POLYMERIC FULLERENE OXIDE (FULLERENE OZOPOLYMER)

Polymeric fullerene oxide (PFO) prepared by prolonged ozonation of C₆₀ fullerene has been laser irradiated and the resulting products formed have been studied by ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry. It has been found that PFO produces a complete set of carbon clusters from C₆₀ up to C₁₆₄. The mechanism of formation of this set of fullerenic clusters implies necessarily a laser-induced carbonization step of the PFO substrate. Once the PFO target has been changed into the opportune carbon nanostructure by the laser radiation, the sequence of fullerene carbon clusters has been produced.     

On the Nature of Interaction Between Fullerene and Aniline

Interaction between fullerene C₆₀ and N,N-dialkyl-substituted anilines was studied by gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) and titration calorimetry. The GLC study was performed at 140-200°C in the poly(tetramethylbenzene) solvent with ultra-high solubility of C₆₀. No interaction of the C₆₀-aniline type was registered under such conditions. Calorimetric titration performed at 25°C in a non-aromatic solvent confirmed the lack of complex formation. Minute exoeffect registered is explained by suppressing of the rotation motion of the C₆₀ molecules accompanied by energy dissipation for the aniline environment.     

Adsorption of Krypton and Cyclopentane on C60: An Experimental Study

The adsorption of krypton and cyclopentane on C₆₀ has been compared with that on reference carbon adsorbents. From krypton adsorption isotherms it follows that the fresh surface of C₆₀ has similar adsorption properties as electrochemical carbon. Cyclopentane molecules penetrate into the bulk of C₆₀ crystals and are localized in the octahedral interstices between fullerene molecules.     

A Model Compound Study About Carbon Black and Diene Rubber Interaction: The Reactivity of C60 Fullerene with Squalene

The reaction between squalene and C₆₀ fullerene was studied by electronic and FT-IR spectroscopy as well as by thermal analysis (TGA and DTA). This study was conducted to simulate in vitro, with model compounds, the interaction occuring during mixing between dienic rubber and carbon black. Squalene was used as model compound for dienic rubber and C₆₀ fullerene as model compound for carbon black since fullerene-like sites have been recently identified on carbon black surface.

The experimental results show that 2,5 molecules of C₆₀ become chemically bound to each squalene molecule under thermo-oxidative conditions simulating part of the mixing cycle between rubber and carbon black.

The implications of this result involve the explanation of the phenomenon known as “bound rubber”, which is the amount of chemisorbed polymer on filler surface after mixing, as well as the reinforcement effects observed by filling rubber with carbon black and the mechanical hysteresis of a rubber compound.     

Fullerane, the Hydrogenated C60 Fullerene: Properties and Astrochemical Considerations

Hydrogenated C₆₀ fullerene, C₆₀H₃₆ was prepared in different solvents using Zn/HCl as reducing agents. The structure of C₆₀H₃₆ was confirmed both by electronic and FT-IR spectroscopy and the purity of the reaction product was checked by HPLC analysis. It has been confirmed that C₆₀H₃₆ is not stable in air, especially in presence of light which enhances the oxidation. The oxidation of C₆₀H₃₆ was studied by FT-IR spectroscopy and by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) in air; the formation of hydroxyl groups on the fullerene cage and ketonic groups (involving cage breakdown) have been detected. Furthermore, the action of O₃ on C₆₀H₃₆ was investigated and it has been found that O₃ exerts practically the same effect of air but causing an enhanced cage breakdown. The thermal stability of C₆₀H₃₆ was checked by a thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) coupled with a differential thermal analysis (DTA) under N₂ flow. The vaporization of C₆₀H₃₆ occurs at very high temperature: the DTA trace has shown an endothermic peak at 540°C (at a heating rate of 20°C/min). C₆₀H₃₆ shows an electronic absorption spectrum with a maximum at about 217 nm and it is able to match both in position and in half width the peak at 217.5 nm observed in the spectrum of the interstellar extinction of light which was attributed to hydrogenated, radiation processed and thermally annealed carbon dust. Similarly, the absorption spectrum of C₆₀H₃₆ is able to match several infrared emission bands (called UIBs) detected from certain astrophysical objects like the protoplanetary nebulae (PPNe). It is proposed that hydrogenated fullerenes can be used as model compounds in the laboratory simulation studies of interstellar carbon dust.     

Halogen and Interhalogen Reactions with [60]Fullerene: Preparation and Characterization of C60C24 and C60C18F14

U.V. irradiation of a solution of [60]fullerene in carbon tetrachloride saturated with chlorine gave a yellow solid, the negative ion FAB mass spectrum of which is consistent with the presence of C₆₀Cl₂₄ When a solution of [60]fullerene in CCl₄was mixed with IF₅, a yellow solid was deposited in the denser IF₅ layer. The negative ion FAB mass spectrum of this material indicated it to be C₆₀C₁₈F₁₄ This result provides the first confirmation that halogenation of Merenes is a radical process. Fluorination of C₆₀Br₈ gave a range of fluorinated products, having a maximum fluorine content of ca. 36 fluorines per cage, and with either C₆₀F₁₈ or its mono-oxide as major species. EI mass spectrometry of the products at various temperatures indicates that the more highly fluorinated fiiilerenes are either less stable to heat, or are more volatile.     

Influence of C60 and Fullerene Soot on the Oxidation Resistance of Vegetable Oils

The influence of fullerene soot as well as pure C₆₀ on the oxidation stability of rapeseed oil is studied. Fullerene soot (C₆₀ content between 0-6 wt.%) was synthesized by using a carbon arc method. Differential scanning calorimetry was applied to estimate the oxidation induction time of fullerene-oil composites. The addition of fullerene soot significantly hampered the peroxide formation thus increasing of oxidation stability of tested oils.     

Natural Fullerenes-Will they Offer a Hint to the Selective Synthesis of Fullerenes?

In addition to the known laboratory methods of preparing fullerenes, which generally start from carbon vapor, studies of naturally occurring C₆₀/C₇₀ suggest a catalytic process of fullerene formation that proceeds in solid phase under mild condition. Recent observation of C₆₀/C₇₀ in Yunnan coal and Kalerian C-rich rock is reviewed in the light of the above perspective.     

Kinetics of Fullerene Formation in a Contact Arc Generator

A kinetic model of the fullerene growth process in a contact arc generator is developed. On the basis of the kinetic model, the yield of the magic fullerenes C₆₀ and C₇₀ is calculated. The fullerene yield is determined by the temperature gradient in the fullerene formation zone, the carbon vapor concentration and the helium jet velocity in the interelectrode space. We found that the upper boundary value of the magic fullerene yield was about 20%.     

ON THE MECHANISM OF CARBON CLUSTERS FORMATION UNDER LASER IRRADIATION. THE CASE OF DIAMOND GRAINS AND SOLID C60 FULLERENE

It is shown by FT-ICR (Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance) mass spectrometry that carbon clusters considered to be the superior homologues of C₆₀ fullerene are formed by laser irradiation of both synthetic diamond grains or from pure C₆₀ fullerene crystals. The surfaces of the laser irradiated diamond or C₆₀ have been examined by Raman spectroscopy. In the case of diamond the Raman spectrum suggests the superficial formation of mixed carbon nanostructures consisting of disordered graphite, fullerenic nanostructures, onion-like carbon nanostructures and diamond-like carbon. Based on the Raman spectra of the surface and on data taken from the phase diagram of carbon, it is shown that the graphitization is needed in order to produce fullerenes from diamond under laser ablation conditions. In the case of C₆₀ fullerene, it is shown by Raman spectroscopy that the laser irradiation of the crystals causes initially their photopolymerization and after further irradiation their transformation into disordered graphite. Based on these results and on a literature survey on the formation of fullerenes from more than 15 completely different substrates, it is concluded that fullerenes are formed always when laser ablation leads to a graphitization of the laser-irradiated substrate. Some astrochemical implications of the conclusions have been discussed.     

Synthesis of Fullerenols from Halofullerenes

Halogenated fullerenes were used as reagents to prepare fullerenols. Depending on reaction conditions two types of substances (complex mixtures of products with average compositions C₆₀O_nH_m, n=10-26, m=14-30 and C₆₀O_nH_mM_k, M=K, Na; n=17-24, m=16-28, k=3-8) possessing essentially different water solubility were obtained. Highly soluble metal-containing species are most likely ionic compounds similar to metal derivatives of alcohols-alcoholates. An electron withdrawing effect of the carbon cage could make alkali metal fullerenolates (C₆₀(OH)_x(OM)_y) inert towards hydrolysis. Halogens were selectively substituted when fullerene bromides and chlorides were treated with silver trifluoroacetate. Fullerenol esters C₆₀(OOCCF₃)_n formed were then hydrolyzed to form C₆₀(OOCCF₃)_x(OH)_y. Attempts to cleave all ester groups in C₆₀(OOCCF₃)_x(OH)_y failed in acidic media, while alkaline hydrolysis was accompanied by unselective polyhydroxylation of the fullerene cage.     

Ab initio calculation on fullerene C32 and Its Derivative

In this paper, we studied the equilibrium geometries, the electronic structures and the binding energies of fullerene C₃₂ as well as its hydrogenates and fluorides interactions by the SCF Hartree-Fock calculations using the latest version of GAMESS of ab initio programs. The fullerene C₃₂ is found to have a ¹A₂' closed-shell ground state in D_3d symmetry or a ¹E_U singlet state in D_3h symmetry. It is predicted to be easy to add some hydrogen or fluorine atoms to the C₃₂ cage and to produce a series of derivatives C₃₂H_2n,C₃₂F_2n (n=l, 3, 6), in which C₃₂H₂,C₃₂F₂ (D_3d), C₃₂H₆^a,C₃₂F₆^c(D_3h) are more stable. We suggest that this implies that the vertex of triplet pentagons of the C₃₂ cage is an activation site for addition.