Method for combustion synthesis of fullerenes

Abstract

A mod of combustion and a multi-component reactor to accomplish this mode of combustion are disclosed which produces fullerenes and fullerenic material by combustion. This mode consists of de-coupling an oxidation region of a flame from a post-flame region, thus giving greater control over operating parameters, such as equivalence ratio, temperature, and pressure; allows conditions of the operating parameters of the combustion reaction to be attained which would not be easily attained by conventional methods; and offers the ability to more easily stabilize the combustion reactions to allow for higher throughputs of fuel and oxidant. Several embodiments of a primary zone of a multicomponent reactor are also disclosed. Said primary zone serves as the oxidation region, operates on the principle of providing recycle to the reacting combustion mixture, and which may be operated as approximately a well-mixed reactor. A secondary zone is also disclosed which provides further residence time for reaction and the ability to control operating parameters, operates on the principle of minimizing recycle of the reacting combustion mixture. The secondary zone may be operated as approximately a plug-flow reactor. The primary and secondary zones may be operated in conjunction or either one alone.