Fullerenes and Nanotubes from Coal

Harish K. Patney Department of Chemistry, Materials and Forensic Sciences, University of Technology, Sydney, Broadway, PO Box 123, NSW, Australia

Christina Nordlund Department of Chemistry, Materials and Forensic Sciences, University of Technology, Sydney, Broadway, PO Box 123, NSW, Australia

Adam Moy Department of Chemistry, Materials and Forensic Sciences, University of Technology, Sydney, Broadway, PO Box 123, NSW, Australia

Harry Rose Department of Chemistry, Materials and Forensic Sciences, University of Technology, Sydney, Broadway, PO Box 123, NSW, Australia

Brent Young Department of Chemistry, Materials and Forensic Sciences, University of Technology, Sydney, Broadway, PO Box 123, NSW, Australia

Michael A. Wilson Department of Chemistry, Materials and Forensic Sciences, University of Technology, Sydney, Broadway, PO Box 123, NSW, Australia

Abstract

Graphite has normally been used to synthesise fullerenes and nanotubes. However, coal is a cheaper and more suitable industrial material. Because coal is a molecular solid, unlike graphite, the mechanism by which fullerene and nanotubes are formed is different. Moreover, other products such as polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and microfibres are also formed. In this review, the mechanism of formation of fullerene and nanotubes from coal is discussed. It is shown that the pathway involved is other than through the C₁ intermediate route. The influence of other elements in coal such as hydrogen, oxygen, sulfur and iron is also discussed. It appears that, hydrogen, oxygen, iron and sulfur affect the yield and type of fullerenes and nanotubes formed.

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Order Reprints Request Corporate Permissions

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

Request Academic Permissions

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.

Fullerenes and Nanotubes from Coal

Information for

Open access

Opportunities

Help and information

Fullerenes and Nanotubes from Coal

Abstract

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Academic Permissions

Related research

To cite this article:

Download citation

Information for

Open access

Opportunities

Help and information

Keep up to date

Your download is now in progress and you may close this window

Login or register to access this feature