Laser pyrolysis of hydrocarbons in synthesis of soot containing fullerenes

Using a high power CW CO2 laser, the pyrolysis in a flow reactor of differe nt hydrocarbons/oxidizer mixtures with/without sensitizer lead to soots con taining weightable quantities of fullerenes which were identified by FTIR s pectroscopy, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and time-of-flig ht mass spectrometry. The C-60 and C-70 quantification was done by HPLC. Th e FTIR spectroscopy of toluene extracts from the soots and of exhaust gases allowed to discuss some aspects concerning the influence of sensitizer (SF 6) addition as well as of the oxidiser (O-2/N2O) On the fullerene productio n in laser pyrolysis of benzene-based mixtures.