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Fullerenes from a fulgurite.

T K Daly, P R Buseck, P Williams

    Science (New York, N.Y.)
    |March 12, 1993
    PubMed
    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

    Lightning strikes can create fullerenes, a type of carbon molecule, by melting soil and organic debris. Mass spectrometry detected C(60) and C(70) fullerenes in a fulgurite sample.

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    Area of Science:

    • Geochemistry
    • Materials Science
    • Organic Chemistry

    Background:

    • Fulgurites are natural geological materials formed by lightning strikes.
    • Fullerenes are allotropes of carbon with unique molecular structures.
    • The formation conditions for fullerenes typically involve high temperatures and pressures.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the chemical composition of a fulgurite sample.
    • To determine if fullerenes can form under natural lightning conditions.
    • To identify specific fullerene molecules present in the fulgurite.

    Main Methods:

    • Sample collection from a lightning-struck site.
    • Extraction of material from the fulgurite.
    • Analysis using mass spectrometry to identify molecular composition.

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    Main Results:

    • Mass spectrometry detected distinct peaks at 720 and 840 atomic mass units.
    • These peaks correspond to the presence of C(60) and C(70) fullerenes.
    • Additional peaks indicated the presence of other fullerene species.

    Conclusions:

    • The intense heat and pressure from a lightning strike can facilitate the formation of fullerenes.
    • Organic debris in soil serves as a precursor for fullerene synthesis under these extreme conditions.
    • Fulgurites can be natural indicators of fullerene formation in terrestrial environments.