PYROLYSIS OF KH CARBON RESIDUES - A METHOD OF FURTHER PRODUCTION OF FULLERENES AND SPECIFIC FORMATION OF C-84

In this work, we describe a method of further production of fullerenes by treatment of KH carbon residues (Kratschmer-Huffman carbon residues). The pyrolysis of these residues between 300 and 600-degrees-C leads to a supplementary fullerene yield of 2 wt.%. After two steps of thermal treatment, the total yield reaches 8.5 wt.% instead of 5 wt.% by normal methods. Moreover, we note a relatively high amount Of C84 in the extracts: the molar ratios C84/C60 and C70/C60 are as high as 2 and 1, respectively, in the best cases. We are now optimizing the procedure of fullerene separation and hope to isolate specifically C84 fullerene in macroscopic quantity, in order to open up the chemistry Of C84.