FULLERENE PRODUCTION PROCESS Russian patent published in 2003 - IPC

FIELD: carbon materials. SUBSTANCE: graphite rods are placed in working chamber and, through the rods, electric current at voltage 28-32 V and intensity 220 A is passed. Reaction products are withdrawn from the chamber with neutral gas flow and, at the chamber outlet, they are affected by electron stream. Then, cross-section of flow is sharply (by 3-5 times) expanded and flow density decreases from center to periphery, therefrom slag is removed. Remaining fullerene mixture is affected by acoustic emission at frequency 25-35 kHz and then by infrared emission ionized by means of helium-neon laser radiation, which enables selective orientation of different fullerene fractions: C60 in the center and C70 and C78-84 farther in series. Each fraction is separately withdrawn on traps-accumulators. Prior to be trapped, fullerene flow can be additionally affected by electromagnetic emission with power 0.1 to 2.5 W/cu.dm. Recovered fullerenes are either directly employed in chemical industry or stored in sealed containers at reduced pressure under neutral gas. EFFECT: enhanced efficiency of separating fullerenes from slag, enabled process continuity, and ensured fullerene storage reliability. 2 cl