Electrochemical mechanism of fullerene formation in plasma arcs

Journal Article · Thu Jun 02 04:00:00 EDT 1994 · Journal of Physical Chemistry; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/j100073a007· OSTI ID:6970733

Gao, X; Gao, J ^[1]

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1. Changchun Inst. of Applied Chemistry (China)

During the synthesis of fullerenes by dc plasma arcs, it has been found that the anodic graphite rod consistently burns up, while the cathodic graphite rod grows slag at its end. Further investigations revealed that the anodic and cathodic graphite rods played different roles in forming fullerenes in plasma arcs. The anodic graphite rod contributed to the formation of all products in dc plasma arcs, while the cathodic one played a role only as an electrode. These results suggest that an electrochemical mechanism occurs during fullerene formation in plasma arcs. Temperature measurements indicate that, in the stable plasma arc in our experiment, the temperature of the graphite rods was lower than their sublimation point, thus confirming the involvement of an electrochemical mechanism in the fullerene formation process in dc plasma arcs. The relationship of the fullerene formation rate to the cell voltage supports the point. 11 refs., 6 figs.

• OSTI ID: 6970733
• Journal Information: Journal of Physical Chemistry; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of Physical Chemistry; (United States) Vol. 98:22; ISSN JPCHAX; ISSN 0022-3654
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400201* -- Chemical & Physicochemical Properties
400400 -- Electrochemistry
ANODES
CARBON
CATHODES
CHEMISTRY
CURRENTS
ELECTRIC ARCS
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
ELECTROCHEMISTRY
ELECTRODES
ELEMENTAL MINERALS
ELEMENTS
FULLERENES
GRAPHITE
MINERALS
NONMETALS
PLASMA
SLAGS
SOOT
SYNTHESIS
TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT