On the production of different carbon forms by electric arc graphite evaporation

We report results gained in the operation of a fullerene-generating graphite evaporator in an attempt to evaluate its suitability for a rationally designed production of different new forms of carbon. The effects of varying experimental conditions on the composition of the products as well as on observable properties of the carbon are have been examined. The primarily produced fullerene blacks and electrode deposits were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and oxidation experiments monitored by TGA/DTA. Yield and composition of the soluble fullerenes were determined gravimetrically and by HPLC, respectively. Furthermore, the are plasma was investigated by UV/VIS emission spectroscopy under varied conditions to detect possible correlations of the fullerene yield with properties of the hot plasma.