ABSTRACT
Fullerenes can be produced from the natural and anthropogenic combustion of carbon-based material. C60 has been identi ed in a 10,000-year-old ice core as evidence for its natural formation. Industrially, C60 is produced at high temperatures when an arc is formed between two graphite rods in a helium gas chamber and solvent is extracted. is method, the Kratschmer technique, results in ∼40% product (C60), while the remainder is comprised of other forms of fullerenes and soot [2,3]. Unlike carbon nanotubes and many other nanomaterials, metals are not used during synthesis, and thus, are not considered potential contaminants of C60 [4].
