Continuous production of fullerenes by pyrolysis of acetylene at a glassy carbon surface Original Research Article

A reactor is described for generating fullerenes from hydrocarbon gas or vapor. Distinguishing features are a thermal system in which the fullerene product is not exposed to destructive energetic photons (as in an arc) and ease of control. Acetylene was chosen as the first feedstock to reduce the hydrogen content. Argon is the carrier gas. The reactor is a radio-frequency induction heated cylinder of glassy polymeric carbon having multiple holes through which the gas mixture passes. Operation as high as 2500 K is possible, but fullerene production is seen only below 1500 K. Preliminary tests give <1% yield, but improvement is expected by manipulation of the temperature, dwell time at temperature, feedstock species and partial pressure. A hydrogen scavenger may also be useful.