Exploring Properties and Synthesis Procedures of Fullerenes from Historical Perspective

The theoretical prediction of icosahedral carbon molecules preceded their experimental discovery by decades. In 1985, Kroto et al. synthesized C60 - commonly known as buckminsterfullerene or buckyball - pioneering research into fullerenes and earning the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1996. Fullerenes exhibit a unique truncated icosahedral structure with remarkable symmetry (Ih group), which influences their electronic properties and stability. C60's π-electrons follow energy states dictated by spherical harmonics modified by its lower symmetry. This robust structure enables applications like endohedral fullerenes, where foreign species are encapsulated within the carbon cage. Synthesis methods such as laser vaporization, arc discharge, pyrolysis, and flame combustion have been developed to produce fullerenes, each offering distinct advantages. This historical overview explores the evolution of fullerene synthesis techniques and their structural and electronic properties, underscoring their significance in materials science.