Synthesis and Structure Characterization of Coal -based Nano-structured Onion-like Fullerenes

Nano-structured onion-like fullerenes (NSOFs) was synthesized from coal by radio frequency plasma. High resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) and X-ray diffraction(XRD) techniques were used to characterize the morphologies and structures of the products. Results indicate that NSOFs can be prepared from coal with high yield. The highly graphitized products contain no carbon nanotubes, the particles display a clear polyhedral or quasi-spherical morphology with hollow center and the method described here might be used to synthesize pure NSOFs at low costs.