[Back to the Fullerene Patent Database]

United States Patent 5,273,729
Howard, et. al.Dec. 28, 1993

Combustion method for producing fullerenes

Inventors: Howard; Jack B. (Winchester, MA); McKinnon; J. Thomas (Boulder, CO).
Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Cambridge, MA).
Appl. No.: 705,310
Filed: May 24, 1991

Intl. Cl.:C01B 31/00;
U.S. Cl.:423/445.;
Field of Search:445;448;445 B;DIG. 20

References Cited

U.S. Patent Documents
5,008,098Apr., 1991Bernadiner et al. 423/DIG .20

Other References

Primary Examiner: Lewis; Michael
Assistant Examiner: Kalinchak; Stephen G.

Abstract

A method for synthesizing fullerenes in flames is provided. Fullerenes are prepared by burning carbon-containing compounds in a flame and collecting the condensibles. The condensibles contain the desired fullerenes. Fullerene yields can be optimized and fullerene composition can be selectively varied. Fullerene yields and compositions are determined by selectively controlling flame conditions and parameters such as C/O ratio, pressure, temperature, residence time, diluent concentration and gas velocity.

14 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures

Government Interest

This invention was made with government support under contract Number DE-FG02-84ER-13282 awarded by the Department of Energy. The government has certain rights in the invention.


[Back to the Fullerene Patent Database]