Macroscopic synthesis and characterization of giant fullerenes

Thermal treatment of carbon soot produced by arc evaporation of nickel-filled graphite rods in 500 Torr of helium gives giant fullerenes showing characteristic IR, Raman, NMR and powder XRD signatures. Transmission electron micrographs show faceted structures with pentagonal, hexagonal and spherical shapes. The simplicity and similarity of the IR spectrum with those of smaller fullerenes suggest that the material is a form of large fullerenes. Chemical treatment of the material gives carbon onions.