Synthesis of fullerenes via the thermal plasma dissociation of hydrocarbons

A thermal plasma process is described for the synthesis of fullerenes via the dissociation of hydrocarbons. The plasma reactor is equipped with a nontransferred dc plasma torch which was used to dissociate hydrocarbons. The hydrocarbons investigated include CH4, C2H2, CBrF3, CCl2F2, and C2Cl4. The best results are obtained with C2Cl4. The collection temperature of the fullerene soot in the process was found to play a critical role in the collection rate of fullerenes.