Experimental study on fullerene formation process in toluene flame at low pressure condition

Masahiko Shibahara*, Tsubasa Shimizu, Nilson Kunioshi, Hiroshi Takada

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons generated in the combustion processes of fuel rich hydrocarbon flames are considered to be important precursors of soot that causes environmental pollution. On the other hand, in a combustion process under low pressure conditions, the generation of fullerenes which are one of large cage-shaped carbon clusters was reported. Combustion synthesis of fullerenes is expected to be one of the mass production methods of fullerenes and a premixed flame of toluene and oxygen is utilized in real mass production process of fullerenes. However, the fullerene formation mechanism from PAH in toluene and oxygen premixed flames has not been clarified yet. Therefore, in the present study, contents of PAH and fullerene in the total soot obtained from premixed flames of toluene and oxygen surrounded with premixed flame of methane and oxygen under various physical conditions were analyzed through gas and liquid chromatography. In the present study over 5 weight percent PAHs were found in the collected soot samples and 22 kinds of substances in PAHs can be specified by using the standard sample and 10 isometric structures of PAHs can be specified by using a gas Chromatograph system. When the flame fluctuation was small because of low flow rate of the center and outer flames, the fullerene content in the soot sample increased and the PAH contents of lower molecular weight increased with the increase of the pressure in the chamber. When the flame fluctuation was relatively large because of high flow rate of the center and outer flames, the fullerene content in the soot sample had the maximum peak and the PAH contents of lower molecular weight were dramatically changed from those in the case with small flame fluctuation. Contents of C60 in the total fullerenes increased and those of C70 decreased with the increase of the pressure in the chamber.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the International Conference on Integration and Commercialization of Micro and Nanosystems 2007
Pages1237-1242
Number of pages6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2007
Externally publishedYes
EventInternational Conference on Integration and Commercialization of Micro and Nanosystems 2007 - Sanya, Hainan, China
Duration: 2007 Jan 102007 Jan 13

Publication series

NameProceedings of the International Conference on Integration and Commercialization of Micro and Nanosystems 2007
VolumeB

Conference

ConferenceInternational Conference on Integration and Commercialization of Micro and Nanosystems 2007
Country/TerritoryChina
CitySanya, Hainan
Period07/1/1007/1/13

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Hardware and Architecture
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Experimental study on fullerene formation process in toluene flame at low pressure condition'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this