On the mechanism of fullerene formation in a carbon plasma Original Research Article

A conception about the mechanism of fullerene formation in carbon plasma is developed based on the influence of electron concentration on the stability of carbon clusters. Thermodynamic estimates for the efficiency of formation of spheroidal, flat clusters and linear carbon chains depending on the charge of the reacting particles are described. Strong influence of cluster charge upon the geometry and stability of flat clusters is shown. The charge variation of flat clusters can promote both their folding to curved structures and their dissociation. It is concluded that the fluctuations of electron concentration in a carbon plasma can result in the accumulation of fullerene clusters and the dissociation of flat clusters.