SYNTHESIS AND LASER-DESORPTION FOURIER-TRANSFORM MASS-SPECTROMETRY OFMASSIVE FULLERENES

Synthesis of buckminsterfullerene (C-60) is highly simple and the mech anism of the molecule formation is quite well understood. It makes eas ier the search for the optimum conditions necessary for formation of m assive fullerenes (more than 100 carbon atoms). The most popular graph ite are method has been used for fullerene synthesis in our laboratori es. Other available methods, like laser ablation and E-gun evaporation , were not suitable for achieving of the convenient conditions. Result s of the synthesis have been analyzed by laser desorption Fourier tran sform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (LD FT/ICR-MS). The co nditions for massive fullerenes synthesis are discussed in the paper. The special care has been given to the LD FT/ICR-MS analysis. The impo rtance of cooling gas during fullerene nucleation and growth in the ve ry specific vacuum conditions is analyzed. The necessity for a thoroug h dynamic plasma diagnostic during the giant fullerenes growth is sugg ested.