Closednetworkgrowthoffullerenes.PDF

ARTICLE Received 9 Jan 2012 | Accepted 18 Apr 2012 | Published 22 may 2012 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms1853 Closed network growth of fullerenes 1 2 1,2 2 3 Paul W. Dunk , nathan K. Kaiser , Christopher L. Hendrickson , John P. Quinn , Christopher P. Ewels , 4 4 4 1,2 1 Yusuke nakanishi , Yuki sasaki , Hisanori shinohara , Alan G. marshall Harold W. Kroto Tremendous advances in nanoscience have been made since the discovery of the fullerenes; however, the formation of these carbon-caged nanomaterials still remains a mystery. Here we reveal that fullerenes self-assemble through a closed network growth mechanism by incorporation of atomic carbon and C . The growth processes have been elucidated through 2 experiments that probe direct growth of fullerenes upon exposure to carbon vapour, analysed by state-of-the-art Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry. our results shed new light on the fundamental processes that govern self-assembly of carbon networks, and the processes that we reveal in this study of fullerene growth are likely be involved in the formation of other carbon nanostructures from carbon vapour, such as nanotubes and graphene. Further, the results should be of importance for illuminating astrophysical processes near carbon stars or supernovae that result in C60 formation throughout the universe. 1 Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, 95 Chieftan Way, Tallahassee, Florida 32306, USA. 2 Ion Cyclotron Resonance Program, National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Fl