Generation of higher fullerenes from laser ablation of carbyne and C60 photopolymer astrochemical implications

Laser ablation of targets of carbonaceous matter containing carbyne nanodomains (the sp hybridised carbon chains) or targets of C-60 photopolymer produced carbon clusters which have been detected by FT-ICR (Fourier-Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance) mass spectrometer. When the carbonaceous matter containing carbyne has been employed as laser target, no C-60 has been generated but only fullerene cages from C-74 up to C-124. Larger cages were also obtained but with odd number. Starting from C-60 photopolymer, laser ablation regenerates free C-60 and creates a sequence of C-60 superior homologues all possessing even number and each member of the series is separated from the preceding and the following member by the loss or by the addition respectively of a C-2 unit. Fullerenes up to C-162 have been recorded. The implications about the presence of free C-60 fullerene in the interstellar and circumstellar space, its formation from carbyne chains and its stability towards its photopolymerization tendencyand its regeneration from the photopolymer together with its superior homologues have been discussed thoroughly in the present paper.