Fullerenes production by electric arc pyrolysis of methane in an AC three-phase plasma torch

Abstract

The article deals with a high-voltage three-phase AC plasma torch working as a part of a plasma-chemical facility. The plasma torch consists of three electric arc channels and three rod copper electrodes. The initial breakdown occurs with high voltage (10 kV) provided by a high voltage power supply. The electric arc plasma oxygen-free pyrolysis of methane was realized on the facility. The fullerene-containing fraction was extracted from the carbonaceous material by extraction with orthoxylene. The produced carbon-black and the selected extract were analyzed by modern methods of physical and chemical analysis: scanning electron microscopy, X-ray phase analysis, IR spectroscopy.