CONSIDERATIONS OF THE PRODUCTION OF C-60 THIN-FILMS BY PECVD, COMBUSTION, OR PYROLYSIS

A short review of C-60 production methods is first presented with an e mphasis on thin films for electronic applications. These films are cur rently made by first producing the fullerene, purifying it and then de positing by different evaporation techniques. Results of an unsuccessf ul attempt to produce these films by PECVD from organic precursors (cy clopentadiene and naphthalene) are reported. An assessment of the avai lable thermodynamic data of gaseous and solid C-60 is then presented. Gibbs free energy minimization for the gaseous system C-H-O-Ar + He in cluding large polyaromatic hydrocarbons and C-60 helps to determine un der which conditions C-60 molecules are stable. Finally, in the light of these calculations, the possibility of the direct production of C-6 0 films by a continuous process such as combustion or pyrolysis is dis cussed.