A study of the synthesis of endohedral metallofullerenes and empty fullerenes by the carbon-arc and RFICP technique Original Research Article

Fullerenes and endohedral metallofullerenes (Mx@C2n; M=La, Mn, Nb, Au, and Li; x=1–3, n≥30) were synthesized by two different techniques: the standard carbon-arc technique and a modification involving an RF-inductive coupled plasma discharge. Both techniques employ a modified carbon-arc reactor which is durable, easy to operate, and capable of providing a high degree of control over many parameters of the reaction. Our results suggest that both fullerenes and endohedral metallofullerenes are formed by a radical pathway.