Abstract: There is provided shorte nanotubes and nanoparticles. The nanotubes are in general terms shorter than conventionally produced nanotubes. An improved apparatus for production of the fullerenes and nanocarbons is also disclosed wherein a moveable contactor is attached to a first electrode within a sealable chamber, and is spaced from the second electrode such that an electric discharge can pass between them.

Abstract: A fullerene/nanotubes mixture is produced during a periodical pulsed auto-regulated action of the electric current arc-discharge in the multi-component hydrocarbon medium with limited fullerenes' solubility, besides, the action is continued until the medium dissolves C60. Higher fullerenes absorbed by the ultra-thin graphite particles are separated from C60 dissolved in the liquid medium by sedimentation, whereas the carbon nanotubes are separated from the ultra-thin graphite particles by treating with a boiling concentrated HN03 acid and by low speed centrifuging/acid mixture until the black sediment of the ultra-thin graphite particles is precipitated to the bottom. The periodically pulsed auto-regulated regime of the electric-current arc-discharge is performed by contact breaking an electric circuit due to lifting spherical contactors by gaseous products released during the action and by switching the circuit due to the contacts' going down under action of gravity.