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United States Patent 5,395,496
Tsantrizos, et. al.Mar. 7, 1995

Process for the synthesis of fullerenes

Inventors: Tsantrizos; Peter G. (Ville St-Pierre, CAX); Grenier; Serge (Montreal, CAX).
Assignee: Pegasus Refractory Materials, Inc. (Montreal, CAX).
Appl. No.: 051,556
Filed: Apr. 23, 1993

Intl. Cl.:C01B 31/00;
U.S. Cl.:204/173.; 423/445.B;
Field of Search:445 B;1

References Cited

U.S. Patent Documents
4,767,608Aug., 1988Matsumoto et al. 423/446
5,010,829Apr., 1991Kulkarni 110/346
5,071,677Dec., 1991Patterson et al. 427/249
5,075,096Dec., 1991Tanabe et al. 423/446
5,147,998Sept., 1992Tsantrizos et al. 219/121 .5
5,227,038Jul., 1993Smalley et al. 204/173
5,273,729Dec., 1993Howard et al. 423/445

Foreign Patent Documents
286306Oct., 1988EPX
304220Feb., 1989EPX

Other References

Primary Examiner: Lewis; Michael
Assistant Examiner: Kalinchak; Stephen G.

Abstract

A process is disclosed to synthesize fullerenes in a plasma reactor. It comprises introducing various amounts of carbon halides as the plasma forming gas in a plasma torch capable of producing a high enough temperature flame to dissociate the carbon bearing molecules into carbon and halogen atoms, hence forming a carbon cloud which condenses into a soot containing fullerenes. Also hydrocarbons can be introduced in the torch as the plasma forming gas and reacted with carbon halides or halogens injected therewith or directly into the plasma flame at the exit of the torch. Moreover, an inert gas, such as helium, may also be used as the plasma forming gas. The process can use a high enthalpy non-transferred d.c. plasma torch or an induction plasma torch as the plasma generating device.

28 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures


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