United States Patent | 5,273,729 |
Howard, et. al. | Dec. 28, 1993 |
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 |
5,008,098 | Apr., 1991 | Bernadiner et al. | 423/DIG .20 |
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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.
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.