GENERATION OF HIGHER FULLERENES FROM LASER ABLATION OF CARBYNE AND C₆₀ PHOTOPOLYMER ASTROCHEMICAL IMPLICATIONS

ABSTRACT

Laser ablation of targets of carbonaceous matter containing carbyne nanodomains (the sp hybridised carbon chains) or targets of C₆₀ photopolymer produced carbon clusters which have been detected by FT-ICR (Fourier-Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance) mass spectrometer. When the carbonaceous matter containing carbyne has been employed as laser target, no C₆₀ has been generated but only fullerene cages from C₇₄ up to C₁₂₄. Larger cages were also obtained but with odd number. Starting from C₆₀ photopolymer, laser ablation regenerates free C₆₀ and creates a sequence of C₆₀ superior homologues all possessing even number and each member of the series is separated from the preceding and the following member by the loss or by the addition respectively of a C₂ unit. Fullerenes up to C₁₆₂ have been recorded. The implications about the presence of free C₆₀ fullerene in the interstellar and circumstellar space, its formation from carbyne chains and its stability towards its photopolymerization tendency and its regeneration from the photopolymer together with its superior homologues have been discussed thoroughly in the present paper.

Keywords:

• Laser ablation
• Carbyne
• C₆₀photopolymer
• Higher fullerenes
• Mass spectrometry

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We gratefully acknowledge the financial support for the present study from ASI, the Italian Space Agency, Rome, Italy.