STUDY ON THE PREPARATION FULLERENES C_(60) I THE OPTIMAL PREPARATION CONDITION

Fullerenes have been prepared from graphite and some typical Chinese coals by electric arcing in inert gases. The parameters of the arcing process that forms fullerenes, such as the effect of current, pressure and type of inert gases on yield of fullerenes, were investigated. With the help of arcing theory, the importance of an appropriate temperature field in the formation of fullerenes was discussed. Meanwhile the formation mechanism of fullerenes derived from coals was also discussed. The results showed that the yield of fullerenes is greatly affected by the preparation conditions. An appropriate temperature field is crucial to improve yield of fullerene in the arcing process. The optimal condition of preparing fullerenes in the arcing process is:P=0.018 MPa～0.02 MPa,I=80 A～100 A.