Abstract: A method for the production of fullerenic nanostructures is described in which unsaturated hydrocarbon fuel and oxygen are combusted in a burner chamber at a sub-atmospheric pressure, thereby establishing a flame. The condensibles of the flame are collected at a post-flame location. The condensibles contain fullerenic nanostructures, such as single and nested nanotubes, single and nested nanoparticles and giant fullerenes. The method of producing fullerenic soot from flames is also described.

Abstract: There is provided a method for preparing a single layer carbon nano-tube stably and in high preparation efficiency. Helium is introduced from a gas inlet 19 while exhausting inside a vacuum chamber 11 by means of a rotary pump 12 to prepare an atmosphere of rare gas. DC arc discharge is established between a metal-added carbon electrode to which a single metal is added 13 and a metal-added carbon electrode to which a single metal the kind of which is different from that of the former metal is added 14 by the use of a discharge power source apparatus 17. Carbon and metals are evaporated from both electrodes, and the metals are alloyed to act as a catalyst to the carbon and the single layer carbon nano-tube is prepared.

Abstract: A rechargeable electrochemical cell comprising a body of aprotic, non-aqueous electrolyte, first and second electrodes in effective electrochemical contact with the electrolyte, the first electrode comprising positive active cathode materials such as a lithiated intercalation compound serving as the cathode and the second electrode comprising a modified carbon material formed of a graphite or carbon based materials, for example, having a hydrogenated fullerene material, such as hydrogenated C.sub.60 or C.sub.70, adsorbed thereon and serving as the anode; whereby they provide a lithium-ion cell having improved reversible energy storage characteristics and irreversible energy loss characteristics as compared with similar lithium-ion cells having carbon anodes that are not so-modified with hydrogenated fullerene material.

Abstract: A process for converting carbon or carbonated compounds in a plasma into carbons having a defined nanostructure consists of a reaction chamber whose head part contains three electrodes, a plasma gas supply, and a carbon or carbonated compound supply. A process for preparing carbons having a defined nanostructure. Apparatus to carry out the processes.

Abstract: Method of making carbon nanotubes open on at least one end wherein capped nanotubes are treated with an oxidizing acid such as nitric acid. The treatment is effective to open at least 50% of the nanotubes on at least one end.

Abstract: Solid fullerite, comprising a mixture of C.sub.60 and C.sub.70 fullerenes and higher molecular weight carbon nanotropes, is produced by high temperature, short residence time, pyrolysis of a mixture of hydrocarbons, containing at least two "but less than six" carbon atoms in their molecular structures, admixed with an inert gas comprising at least one member of the Group VIII-A elements of The Periodic Table of The Elements in a substantially reduced-metals free reactor comprised of a thermally stable ceramic or pyrolytic graphite.

Abstract: A method of producing soot containing high amounts of fullerenes comprising: providing a primary concentrator capable of impingement of a concentrated beam of sunlight onto a carbon source to cause vaporization of carbon and subsequent formation of fullerenes, or providing a solar furnace having a primary concentrator with a focal point that concentrates a solar beam of sunlight; providing a reflective secondary concentrator having an entrance aperture and an exit aperture at the focal point of the solar furnace; providing a carbon source at the exit aperture of the secondary concentrator; supplying an inert gas over the carbon source to keep the secondary concentrator free from vaporized carbon; and impinging a concentrated beam of sunlight from the secondary concentrator on the carbon source to vaporize the carbon source into a soot containing high amounts of fullerenes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel fullerene-containing metallocene. Such a fullerene-containing metallocene can be used as the catalyst for preparing olefin polymers.

Abstract: Novel metallic forms of planar carbon are described, as well as methods of designing and making them. Nonhexagonal arrangements of carbon are introduced into a graphite carbon network essentially without destroying the planar structure. Specifically a form of carbon comprising primarily pentagons and heptagons, and having a large density of states at the Fermi level is described. Other arrangements of pentagons and heptagons that include some hexagons, and structures incorporating squares and octagons are additionally disclosed. Reducing the bond angle symmetry associated with a hexagonal arrangement of carbons increases the likelihood that the carbon material will have a metallic electron structure.

Abstract: An article and method of manufacture of a nanocrystalline diamond film. The nanocrystalline film is prepared by forming a carbonaceous vapor, providing an inert gas containing gas stream and combining the gas stream with the carbonaceous containing vapor. A plasma of the combined vapor and gas stream is formed in a chamber and fragmented carbon species are deposited onto a substrate to form the nanocrystalline diamond film having a root mean square flatness of about 50 nm deviation from flatness in the as deposited state.

Abstract: A method for the production of fullerenic nanostructures is described in which unsaturated hydrocarbon fuel and oxygen are combusted in a burner chamber at a sub-atmospheric pressure, thereby establishing a flame. The condensibles of the flame are collected at a post-flame location. The condensibles contain fullerenic nanostructures, such as single and nested nanotubes, single and nested nanoparticles and giant fullerenes. The method of producing fullerenic soot from flames is also described.

Abstract: After an ultrafine particle is disposed on a giant fullerene by driving the ultrafine particle using an electron beam, the ultrafine particle is enclosed in a core hollow portion of the giant fullerene, by contracting the giant fullerene with the electron beam irradiation. Or a metal ultrafine particle composed of an active metal is enclosed in the core hollow portion of the giant fullerene, by irradiating a high energy beam such as the electron beam to an amorphous carbon including the active metal to form the giant fullerene in an irradiated portion, and by contracting the giant fullerene with the irradiation of the high energy beam.

Abstract: A solution comprising a polar solvent and C.sub.60 in which the solubility of C.sub.60 is at least 2 mg/ml of solvent. The polar solvent has a low toxicity, high boiling point, high thermal and electrochemical stability, low viscosity, low freezing point, a high dielectric constant, and is relatively inexpensive. Preferably the polar solvent is N-ethyl-2-pyrrolidone.

Abstract: After an ultrafine particle is disposed on a giant fullerene by driving the ultrafine particle 1 using an electron beam, the ultrafine particle is enclosed in a core hollow portion of the giant fullerene, by contracting the giant fullerene with the electron beam irradiation. Or a metal ultrafine particle composed of an active metal is enclosed in the core hollow portion of the giant fullerene, by irradiating a high energy beam such as the electron beam to an amorphous carbon under existing of the active metal to form the giant fullerene in an irradiated portion, and by contracting the giant fullerene with the irradiation of the high energy beam such as the electron beam.

Abstract: A method of encapsulating a material in a carbon nanotube comprising generating a vapor of the material to be encapsulated, generating a hydrogen arc discharge that discharges encapsulating products, and contacting the vapor of the material and the products discharged from the hydrogen arc discharge proximate a surface to encapsulate the material in a carbon nanotube. A carbon nanotube encapsulating a metallic material (e.g. copper), a semi-conductor material (e.g. germanium) and other materials can be produced.

Abstract: A process for separating C.sub.60, C.sub.70, and higher fullerenes above C.sub.70 is provided. The process employs a chromatographic column utilizing a functionalized aromatic-containing resin as the stationary phase, an organic solvent as the mobile phase, and a mixture of fullerenes dissolved in the mobile phase.

Abstract: Fullerenes are synthesized by subjecting carbon in the form of particulates or as the carbon of a liquid or gaseous hydrocarbon, that can be continuously fed to a variety of intense, heat-generating processes that vaporize the carbon from the fluid comprising the particulates or hydrocarbons into an environment that condenses the vaporized carbon to the new form of carbon fullerenes.

Abstract: A novel metal-encapsulated fullerene compound wherein a side chain is introduced in a metal-encapsulated fullerene is provided.A metal-encapsulated fullerene compound represented by the following structural formula (1) is synthesized by causing a disilirane derivative or digermirane derivative having the following structural formula (2) to react with a metal-encapsulation fullerene so as to add functional groups to the fullerene. ##STR1## Herein, M is an encapsulated metal atom, m is an integer from 1 to 3, n is an even number from 28 to 200, and R is a t-butyl group or an aromatic group having alkyl groups in the 2,6-positions, such as mesityl, 2,6-diethylphenyl or 2,6-dimethylphenyl groups.

Abstract: Fullerene compounds such as C60 are dissolved into solvents such as toluene in concentration of 1.times.10-3 mol/L or more. When the solution is coagulated, fullerene associated bodies are formed. After the re-dissolution of the solution, the associated bodies are excited by laser beam, and the resultant is cluster compounds of fullerene having specific number of monomers, such as 23 and 53. The cluster is stable and separable from the solution.

Abstract: A graphite filament which has carbon as a basic structural unit and which have a tubular shape being formed with a helical structure with the carbon hexagons as a main structure and with an outer diameter of 30 nm or less. The tubular lattices a.sub.1 to a.sub.3 are a multiple structure and the interval between inner and outer adjacent tubules is about 0.34 nm, which is similar to the interval between basal planes of graphitic structure. The graphite filament is a new carbon filament material having a structure that is different from a normal graphite filament.

Abstract: A water soluble derivative of buckministerfullerene (C.sub.60) having antiviral and virucidal properties is used to inhibit human retroviral replication and infections. The derivatized fullerene is symmetrically substituted with polar organic moieties containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms and optionally further containing oxygen or nitrogen.

Abstract: A method for the production of carbon encapsulated nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes and other closed carbon structures, including contacting a catalyst of a transition metal, or a compound or alloy thereof, with a gas mixture containing carbon monoxide, and an amount of available molecular hydrogen which is insufficient to cause formation of graphite plane edges through capping, at a temperature in the range from 300.degree.-1000.degree. C., to provide closed carbon structures, which are useful in the preparation of thermal composites, reinforcement composites and magnetic particle recording media.

Abstract: A fullerene derivative of the formula I ##STR1## where the symbols and indices have the following meanings: F is a fullerene radical of the formula (C.sub.20+2m), where m is a number from 1 to 50R.sup.1 to R.sup.8 are identical or different and are each H, CO.sub.2 R.sup.9, CN, COR.sup.10, Cl, Br, I, F, OR.sup.11, C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 -alkyl, phenyl or H, R.sup.1 -R.sup.4 and/or R.sup.5, R.sup.7 can also be part of a cycloalipathic, cycloaromatic or cycloheteroaromatic system which in turn is substituted by C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 -alkyl, aryl, carboxyl, carbonyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, halogen, nitro, alcohol or amine, or R.sup.1 and R.sup.2, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 can together be ##STR2## where R.sup.15 -R.sup.18 are each H, C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 -alkyl, F, Cl, Br, I or phenyl, andAR is the radical of a fused cyclo-aromatic system, and n is from 1 to 20 and a process for its preparation.

Abstract: An onion-like graphite 2 is produced by irradiating an electron beam to an amorphous carbon 3 under an active aluminum nanoparticle 1. By further irradiating the electron beam to the onion-like graphite 2 to intercalate aluminum atoms constituting the aluminum nanoparticle 1 in a space between (001) plane and (002) plane of the onion-like graphite 2 having a layer structure, an intercalation compound 4 is produced. Or, after the aluminum nanoparticles were driven and disposed on the onion-like graphite by electron beam, or the like, by irradiating the electron beam to intercalate aluminum atoms in the space between the (001) plane and the (002) plane of the onion-like graphite having a layer structure, the intercalation compound is produced.

Abstract: Carbon nanotubes are produced by submerging carbonaceous anode and cathode electrodes in liquid nitrogen or other suitable liquefied materials such as helium or hydrogen, and passing a direct current between the electrodes to strike a plasma arc between the anode and cathode that erodes carbon from the anode and deposits carbon nanotubes on the surface of the cathode.

Abstract: A graphite filament which has carbon as a basic structural unit and which have a tubular shape being formed with a helical structure with the carbon hexagons as a main structure and with an outer diameter of 30 nm or less. The tubular lattices a.sub.1 to a.sub.3 are a multiple structure and the interval between inner and outer adjacent tubules is about 0.34 nm, which is similar to the interval between basal planes of graphitic structure. The graphite filament is a new carbon filament material having a structure that is different from a normal graphite filament.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of purifying afullerenes by recrystallization of a fullerene-complexing agent complex and to a fullerene-complexing agent complex.

Abstract: Carbonaceous materials based on the fullerene molecules have been developed which allow for superconductivity. The fullerene materials are soluble in common solvents.

Abstract: A hybrid material comprising an extremely porous, carbon-bearing substrate, such as a carbon-bearing aerogel, and fullerene molecules loaded in the pores of the substrate. The hybrid compound is obtained by several approaches, including chemical vapor infiltration of fullerenes into finished carbon-containing aerogels; infiltration of fullerenes during the solvent displacement step of aerogel preparation; and addition of fullerenes to solgel starting materials.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for purifying carbon nanotubes which has steps of 1) mixing carbon nanotubes which accompany carbon impurities with a reagent selected from a group consisting of oxidation agents, nitration agents and sulfonation agents in liquid phase, 2) reacting the carbon nanotubes with the reagent at a predetermined temperature in the liquid phase, wherein the carbon impurities except carbon nanotubes are selectively reacted to dissolve in the liquid phase, and 3) separating carbon nanotubes from which the impurities were released from the liquid phase then washing and drying it. A process for uncapping carbon nanotubes and a process for chemically modifying carbon nanotubes are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the chromatographic separation of fullerenes using a nonpolar aromatic solvent as eluant. Coke, anthracite and/or graphite are used as support material. The nonpolar solvent is the main constituent of the eluant.

Abstract: A process for the isolation of carbon nanotubes from a mixture containing carbon nanotubes and graphite is disclosed, which includes the steps of:(a) reacting the mixture with a metal compound to intercalate the metal compound into the graphite;(b) reducing the reaction mixture obtained in step (a) to convert the intercalated metal compound to elemental metal;(c) heating the reduction mixture obtained in step (b) at a temperature of 450-600.degree. C. in an oxygen-containing atmosphere to selectively oxidize the graphite and the elemental metal; and(d) contacting the heated mixture obtained in step (c) with a liquid to dissolve the oxidized metal in the liquid and to separate the carbon nanotubes as a solid phase from the oxidized metal.

Abstract: A low-cost and facile method of purifying fullerenes to obtain a preparation enriched in a fullerene of selected molecular weight using activated carbon involves adding a fullarena mixture to the top end of a column comprising activated carbon, passing a solvent in which the selected molecular weight fullerene is soluble through the column, and recovering a fraction enriched in the selected molecular weight fullerene from the bottom end of the column. In addition to activated carbon, the column may further comprise silica gel, diatomaceous earth, or other materials which aid in column packing and eluent flow. The invention also provides for preparation of gram quantities of pure C.sub.60 and C.sub.70 fullerenes after a single column pass.

Abstract: Hydrogen is produced from a hydrocarbon by contacting the hydrocarbon with fine particles of a carbonaceous material having an external surface area of at least 1 m.sup.2 /g at a temperature sufficient to pyrolyze the hydrocarbon.

Abstract: A fullerene composite comprises a matrix formed of ultrafine fullerene such as, for example, C.sub.60 crystallite having diameters in the range of from 5 to 50 nm and a reinforcing member formed of a mixture consisting of carbon nanotubes, carbon nanocapsules, and inevitable indeterminate carbonaceous impurities and incorporated in the matrix. The amount of the reinforcing member incorporated in the matrix is in the range of from 15 to 45% by weight based on the amount of the matrix. Owing to the use of the reinforcing member which contains carbon nanotubes and carbon nanocapsules, the produced fullerene composite is enabled to acquire improved mechanical strength and resistance to deformation, and the wide applicabilities are endowed with fullerene composites.

Abstract: A mixture of carbon nanotubes and impurity carbon materials, which include carbon nanoparticles and may possibly include amorphous carbon, is purified into carbon nanotubes of high purity by utilizing a significant difference in oxidizability between the nanotubes and the nanoparticles. The mixture is pulverized and heated in the presence of an oxidizing agent at a temperature in the range from 600.degree. to 1000.degree. C. until the impurity carbon materials are oxidized and dissipated into gas phase. The nanotubes remain almost unoxidized except for loss of some lengths from the tube tips. It is suitable to perform the heating in air or oxygen.

Abstract: A method and system for manufacturing diamond film. The method involves forming a fullerene vapor, providing a noble gas stream and combining the gas with the fullerene vapor, passing the combined fullerene vapor and noble gas carrier stream into a chamber, forming a plasma in the chamber causing fragmentation of the fullerene and deposition of a diamond film on a substrate.

Abstract: This invention provides a method and apparatus for producing fullerene fibers by establishing an electric field between a needle electrode and an opposing electrode in the presence of carbon and a heat source. Carbon is directed by the electric field to the needle electrode and heated by the heat source to form a carbon-carbon bonded fullerene network. The needle electrode may be moved to lengthen the fullerene network into a fullerene fiber. Fullerene fibers of 0.5 cm or longer may be produced by this method.

Abstract: A light yet highly workable magnetic substance is disclosed which consists mainly of a wholly novel material, fine crystal spherical carbon represented by C.sub.n X.sub.m where n is an integer selected from the group consisting of 60, 70, 76, 84, etc., m represents a positive number not more than n and not zero, and X represents at least one of hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine.

Abstract: Soot containing fullerenes is produced by impressing a DC voltage between a carbonaceous anode and a cathode in an airtight chamber maintained in an inert gas atmosphere to cause arc discharge to occur. After termination of the impression of the DC voltage, an inert gas is blown into the chamber to fluidize the soot. The fluidized soot is discharged from the chamber and is brought into contact with a solvent to recover the fullerenes.

Abstract: Carbon nanotubes are isolated from a mixture containing the carbon nanotubes and graphite particles by a process including the steps of:finely pulverizing the mixture;dispersing the pulverized product in a liquid medium;centrifuging the resulting dispersion to obtain a supernatant containing carbon nanotubes and graphite particles having a particle size of 0.3 .mu.m or less;separating the supernatant into a solid phase and a liquid phase; andcalcining the solid phase in an oxygen-containing atmosphere at a temperature sufficient to burn the graphite particles and to leave the nanotubes.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved synthesis of fullerene (C.sub.60) films, whereby improved purity and adhesion to a substrate are achieved. The invention is not limited to C.sub.60 molecules and other fullerenes and fullerene based materials, including for example, metallofullerenes, fluorinated fullerenes, and codeposition of fullerene and other solid lubricants. The invention also relates to the use of these fullerene materials in oils, greases, polymers and other materials, both organic and inorganic, for improving lubrication and wear life. The invention further relates to a process for the ion bombardment of fullerene materials, including but not limited to, C.sub.60 fullerene materials to improve their tribological properties.

Abstract: This invention provides an improved process and apparatus for making fullerenes by vaporizing carbon and conducting the resulting carbon vapor to a dark zone for fullerene growth and annealing. In one embodiment concentrated solar energy is used to vaporize carbon. In a further embodiment, concentrated solar energy may be used to improve fullerene yields by vaporizing carbon and further to prevent carbon cluster formation until the carbon vapor passes into a dark zone for fullerene growth and annealing. The invention provides an improvement to increase the yield of any known process wherein carbon is vaporized under high light conditions, the improvement comprising providing a dark zone for fullerene growth and annealing.

Abstract: This invention relates to a composition, comprising a carbon nanostructure having a palladium crystallite encapsulated therein; and more particularly, to worm-like carbon nanostructures attached to a carbon cluster, the worm-like nanostructures being comprised of a plurality of connecting sections of carbon tubes terminating in an end portion which encapsulates a palladium crystallite within its internal cavity.

Abstract: Methods of producing fullerenes in large-macroscopic quantities inexpensively is disclosed without using solid carbon material such as graphite. In a preferred embodiment, fullerenes are formed by a hot filament CVD procedure. The fullerenes occur in the soot that forms as a by-product on the edges of the substrate holder. Mass spectrum of soot deposits shows lines corresponding to C.sub.60. From the typical concentrations of gaseous species in the diamond-growing CVD chamber, hydrocarbon species including CH.sub.3 or C.sub.2 H.sub.2 can be the precursors for the formation of fullerenes in the CVD chamber. A method of using fullerenes to enhance the properties of rubber composites is also described.

Abstract: A high-molecular weight carbon material in which cylindrical high-molecular weight carbon materials in the form of a cylindrical tube are bonded through a soccer ball-like spherical high-molecular weight carbon material as a point of junction, the respective cylindrical high-molecular weight carbon materials being formed by rolling a plane network composed of a benzene shell-like hexagonal molecule formed of covalent-bonded carbon atoms, and the soccer ball-like spherical high-molecular weight carbon material being formed of material including five- and six-membered carbon rings. The high-molecular weight carbon material is useful as a material for various functional devices.

Abstract: Di-addended and tetra-addended Buckminster fullerenes are synthesized through the use of novel organoborane intermediates. The C.sub.60, C.sub.70, or higher fullerene is reacted with a borane such as BH.sub.3 in a solvent such as toluene to form an organoborane intermediate. Reaction of the organoborane such as hydrolysis with water or alcohol results in the product di-addended and tetra-addended fullerene in up to 30% yields. Dihydrofullerenes and tetrahydrofullerenes are produced by the process of the invention.

Abstract: A silicon carbide coated carbon matrix/carbon fiber composite material is provided. The carbon composite base material, coated with silicon carbide, comprises a siliconized layer and a non-siliconized layer. The siliconized layer comprises silicon carbide matrix and non-siliconized carbon fibers. The siliconized layer also has a non-planar interface with a series of elongated protrusions penetrating into the surface the of non-siliconized layer. A gas-permeable intermediate coating formed on the carbon composite material can help produce such a siliconized layer.

Abstract: In isolating fullerenes from fullerene-containing soot the soot is heated by using microwaves to from 300.degree. to 800.degree. C. and the evaporating fullerenes are condensed.

Abstract: Compounds consisting of two or more fullerenes (e.g., a C.sub.60 dimer) and a film or powder which includes covalently linked fullerene molecules. Also disclosed is a fullerene film or powder with gas molecules or atoms uniformly disposed therein, as well as a method of diffusing gas molecules or atoms into or through a film or powder made of pristine fullerene molecules.