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United States Patent 5,393,955
SimmonsFeb. 28, 1995

Preparation of fullerenes and apparatus therefor

Inventors: Simmons; Walter N. (451 Scrabble Rd., Martinsburg, WV 25401).
Appl. No.: 004,694
Filed: Jan. 14, 1993

Intl. Cl.:B23K 10/00;
U.S. Cl.:219/121.59; 219/121.36;
Field of Search:121.59;121.43;121.48;121.51;121.36

References Cited

U.S. Patent Documents
4,037,043Jul., 1977Segsworth 13/ 9
5,273,729Dec., 1993Howard et al. 423/445
5,300,203Apr., 1994Smalley 204/157 .41

Foreign Patent Documents
WO92/04279Mar., 1992WOX

Other References

Primary Examiner: Paschall; Mark H.

Abstract

An improved process, and an apparatus, are provided for preparing graphitic soot comprising C(60) and C(70) fullerenes, the process comprising evaporating, in a tubular evaporator, an electrically conductive carbon rod in an electric arc plasma sustained between the carbon rod and a second electrically conductive carbon rod, each of the carbon rods being aligned coaxially in the evaporator, and at least one of the rods being moveable, in a stream of at least one inert gas flowing coaxially over the carbon rods at an inlet flow rate of at least about 0.02 m(^3) /h, and collecting the graphitic soot from internal surfaces of the evaporator.

11 Claims, 1 Drawing Figures


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