Fullerene is the third allotrope discovered by elemental carbon. It is a series of cage molecules composed of carbon, which are convex polyhedrons, mostly pentagonal or hexagonal surfaces, and have the characteristics of high hardness, strong ductility, strong conductivity and light weight.
Fullerene has the function of scavenging active oxygen free radicals. Japanese scientist Takada and others found that fullerenes can quickly capture free radical molecules. Since 2 1 century, fullerene has been used as a raw material of cosmetics, which has the value of preventing aging and becomes a component of cosmetics.
Fullerene molecules have unique three-dimensional topological structure and physical and chemical properties, and the materials constructed by these molecules have special properties, which gradually show unique application prospects in electronic information, life sciences, environmental governance, aerospace and other fields.
Extended data
Preparation method of fullerene:
1, arc graphite evaporation method
Vacuum the arc chamber, and then introduce inert gas, such as helium. When two high purity graphite electrodes are close to each other for arc discharge, the carbon rod is gasified to form plasma. In inert atmosphere, small carbon molecules collide, fuse and close for many times, forming stable C60 and high-carbon fullerene molecules, which exist in a large number of granular soot and deposit on the inner wall of the reactor. Smoke and dust are collected and extracted.
2. Solar graphite evaporation method
Fullerenes were prepared by direct evaporation of graphite in helium atmosphere with the help of sunlight.
3. Flame combustion method
The premixed benzene, toluene vapor and oxygen were diluted with argon, and then introduced into a low-pressure (about 5.32kPa) combustion chamber for incomplete combustion, thus obtaining soot containing C60 and C70. C60 with purity of 99.9% can be obtained after separation and purification of soot.
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