On the nucleation mechanism of effective fullerite condensation

doi:10.1016/0009-2614(91)85129-K

Chemical Physics Letters

Volume 184, Issue 4, 27 September 1991, Pages 310-317

https://doi.org/10.1016/0009-2614(91)85129-K Get rights and content

Abstract

Based on energetical and statistical arguments, the question of understanding the efficient fullerite condensation process is reduced to a pure geometrical problem. Methods are developed to investigate the nucleation pathway by counting feasible intermediate molecules and calculating their formation probability. The procedure results in a quantitative model of the primary fullerite nucleation process produced by resistance heating of graphite and explains observed abundances of buckminsterfullerene in the condensed material. The model predicts special structures for C₇₀ and C₈₀ cages and indicates the possibility of intramolecular rearrangements from less symmetrical C₆₀ isomers to the icosahedral C^B₆₀.

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Citation Excerpt :
Many molecular structures might be formed from sixty carbons, but Ih symmetry structure with isolated pentagons is regarded as the most stable one, known as buckminsterfullerene. A number of different C60 isomers have been considered theoretically in structure or stability analysis, and some kinds of C60 isomers were regarded as stable species according to the results of theoretical calculations [1–15]. Unfortunately, few experimental evidences could support these predictions.
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On the nucleation mechanism of effective fullerite condensation

Abstract

Chem. Phys. Letters

Intern. J. Mass Spectrom. Ion Phys.

Chem. Phys. Carbon

Tetrahedron

Chem. Phys. Letters

Science

Nature

Ann. Phys. (Paris)

Nature

J. Chem. Soc. Chem. Commun.

Nature

J. Chem. Phys.

Chem. Phys. Carbon