Fullerenes At Widener

Fullerenes are a molecular form of pure carbon discovered in 1985. They are cage-like structures of carbon atoms, the most abundant form produced is buckminsterfullerene (C₆₀), with 60 carbon atoms arranged in a spherical structure. There are larger fullerenes containing from 70 to 500 carbon atoms.

Click on each image below to view full size.

Diagram of the generator we use to make fullerenes.

The generator design is based on the Kratschmer-Huffman apparatus.

The generator assembled except for moveable graphite rod.

The generator in use.

We run the generator at 80-100 amps, 25V AC, 100-120 torr He.

The generator disassembled after use.

Extracting fullerenes from the soot produced by the generator.

The color of the fullerenes in solution is shown using a flashlight.

After extraction, the solvent (toluene) is removed using a rotary evaporator, leaving behind a solid mixture of mostly C60 with small amounts of larger fullerenes. Pure C₆₀ is obtained by liquid chromatography. The mixture is dissolved in toluene and pumped through a column of activated charcoal mixed with silica gel. The magenta C₆₀ comes off first, followed by the red C₇₀. The different color solutions are collected separately and the toluene removed using the rotary evaporator.

Take a look at the fullerene generator at Carnegie Mellon.