EP1704116A1

EP1704116A1 - Nanocarbon fullerenes (ncf), method for producing ncf and use of the latter in the form of nanocompounds

Info

Publication number: EP1704116A1
Application number: EP05700545A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Christian SCHÖNEFELD; Rolf Stein; Vladimir Padalko; Günther MATHAR
Original assignee: Nanocompound GmbH
Current assignee: Nanocompound GmbH
Priority date: 2004-01-17
Filing date: 2005-01-14
Publication date: 2006-09-27
Also published as: US20070166221A1; WO2005068360A2; JP2007520411A

Description

Nano-carbon fullerenes (NCF), process for the production of NCF and use of NCF in the form of nano-compounds

The invention relates to nano-carbon fullerenes (NCF), manufacturing processes for NCF and

Use of NCF in the form of nano-compounds. NCF are a new family of nano materials, more precisely carbon hybrids.

A large number of laboratory, chemical and physical are from the prior art

Methods for generating fullerene structures of various modifications are known, for example carbon modifications via combustion reactions of hydrocarbon compounds (cf. Kronto et. Al., Nature 1985, 318; Harris, European Microscopy, Sept. 1994, 13).

Furthermore, substances were presented which contain condensed structures which consist of carbon with diamond-like and non-diamond-like modifications, in which the crystalline and X-ray amorphous carbon phases have compact spheroids with a diameter of about 7 μm and tubes with a diameter of about 10 nm included (see Jonan Notura & Razuro Kavamura, Carbon 1984, Issue 22, N2, pp. 189ff; Van Triel & Mand Ree, FHJ Appl. Phys. 1987, Issue 62, pp. 1761-1767; Roy Greiner et . al., Nature 1988, Issue 333, June 2, 1988, pp. 440-442).

[4] The x-rays of the non-diamond-like carbon modification are thereby

Distances between the intermediate planes in the order of magnitude of 0.35 nm are characterized by reflections (002), which are typical for pure amorphous or stochastically disoriented forms of graphite and indicate a fullerene-like structure.

[5] The crystal phase of carbon is a compact spheroid with a diameter of around 7 nm with large surface values. Electron fractometric studies provide the following reflection values in the intermediate levels: d = 0.2058; 0.1266; 0.1075; 0.8840 and 0.636 nm, which correspond to the area reflection values of the cubic crystal modification of the carbon at (111), (220), (400) and (440).

[6] Likewise, processes for the production of similar substances from reaction products of high-energy compounds are known which are reacted in inert gas media at atmospheric pressure (cf. Jonan Notura & Razuro Kavamura, Carbon, 1984, Ed. 22, N2, pp. 189ff; Van Triel, Mand Ree, FHJ Appl. Phys. 1987, Issue 62, pp. 1761-1767; Roy Greiner et. Al., Nature, 1988 Issue 333, June 2, 1988, pp. 440-442). However, the regimes described are not used as industrial processes and are currently only practicable on a laboratory scale.

[8] There are also well-designed carbon modifications that consist of the following mass ratios (mass%): carbon (84.0 to 89.0), hydrogen (0.3 to 1.1), nitrogen (3.1 to 4, 3), oxygen (2.0 to 7.1) and non-combustible admixtures (up to 0.5) and with carbon in a cubic modification (30.0 to 75.0), X-ray amorphous carbon phase (10.0 to 15.0 ), the surface of these substances being occupied by methyl, carboxyl, quinone, lactone, aldehyde, and ester groups, etc. (cf. patent literature RU No. 2041165 MPK6 SOI V 31/06, published BI No. 22, 09.08.95; WO 00/78674 AI; WO 02/07871 A2).

[9] Likewise, a process (cf. DE 199 55 971) for the production of carbon

Modifications with fullerene-like doping (clusters) are known, in which reactive conversions of high-energy organic compounds with negative oxygen balance take place in closed volumes (reaction vessels) and in an inert gas atmosphere with subsequent cooling of the reaction products at speeds of 200 - 6000 Kelvin / min. The carbon modifications generated in this way show the following cluster structure: At the center of the cluster is a core that consists of a cubic crystal phase, around which an X-ray amorphous carbon phase is grouped, which in turn changes into a crystalline carbon phase. There are chemical residual groups on the surface of the crystalline carbon phase. The generated relationships between the individual phases of the carbon and the attached chemical groups on the surface enable the use of this material as a component of highly effective composite materials, especially as an additive to improve the physico-mechanical application characteristics of plastics. The addition of, for example, 1 to 3% of this material in highly filled elastomers leads to an improvement in the abrasion behavior by 1.2 to 1.4 times, in the case of weakly filled mixtures by 2.0 to 5.0 times.

The object of the present invention is to adapt the crystal structure of the cubic carbon modifications in such a way that the surface atoms make up a considerable proportion of the total number of carbon atoms, and mechanically stable cluster compacts - similar to polycrystalline structures - in the form of “ spherical carbonite ". The invention is based on the fact that the fullerene cluster molecular structure of already known substances can be designed significantly better and modified in such a way that expanded application possibilities in the industrial area are opened up. According to one aspect of the invention, this object is achieved by a nano-particulate carbon structure which contains carbon in hexagonal and cubic modification as well as oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen and incombustible admixtures, these having nano-particulate, fullerene formations and being stabilized.

[12] A carbon structure produced in this way can have a porous volume and pronounced adsorption potentials. The elements used for its production are prepared and stabilized in the production process preferably by means of chemical-dynamic conversion of organic energy sources with a negative oxygen balance in a closed volume with an inert gas atmosphere under an atomic hydrogen plasma with subsequent cooling of the reaction products. The proposed material is usually in the form of a powder with a dark gray color, the specific weight of which is approximately 2.3 to 3.0 g / cm ³ , which corresponds to the value of 65 to 85% of the specific weight of a cubic carbon structure. The X-ray phase analysis ideally fixes a single phase peak, namely that of the cubic modification of the carbon (diamond).

The microelectronograms of the material according to the invention differ from those of the ultradisperse nano-diamond system produced in dynamic synthesis by a widened line (111), but also by the presence of well-developed local reflections, which shows that the geometric structure of the crystals is determined by specific and new characteristics.

[14] The scattering pattern of the X-rays indicates that the central crystals of the cubic lattice phase are surrounded by a shell (cage) made of carbon atoms, which consists of a regular arrangement of pentagons and hexagons and the spatial structure of a "bucky ball" , ie corresponds to a fullerene morphology (cf. in FIG. 1: nanometric diamond structure in light, fullerene "caps" in dark).

[15] According to the proposals of the invention, a nanoparticulate material system can be obtained in the production of carbon with cubic crystal modification by chemical conversion of high-energy compounds, which particle sizes from 5 to 10 nm, specific surface values of up to 700 m ² / g and highest adsorption potentials, in ranges up to 500 or even 700 J / g, as well as primary and secondary pores with fullerene structure.

[16] In contrast to natural and synthetic carbon structures with a cubic crystal phase (diamond), the absorption spectrum of the present fullerene materials shows a number of specific features, whereby the monocrystals can appear colorless. The characteristic gray color of the clusters is due to diffuse light scattering and reflection. Optical ani- Ideally, there is no sotropy. The electronic structure of the present fullerenes indicates that they can emit light of a certain wavelength regardless of the crystallite size. On the other hand, nano-crystals made from conventional semiconductor materials usually show a serious change in the color of the light they emit if their diameter is changed in the range of just a few nanometers.

[17] The refractive index (refractive index) can be in ranges of up to over 2.55 and thus considerably higher than the value of correspondingly comparable structures.

[18] The absorption limits of fullerene materials (NCF) in the UV range are ideally in the range from 220 to over 300 nm and in the near IR range up to over 2810 cm.

[19] The material particles and clusters preferably have ogival shapes, on the inner and outer surface of which open pores can be localized. The dimensions of the open pores determined by BET are preferably from 12 to 100 Å, the volume adsorption being able to reach values of up to 700 J / g.

[20] According to a further aspect of the invention, the thermal treatment of the NCF in a vacuum or in an inert gas atmosphere (argon) provides fullerene shells (“OLC” or “onion-like carbons”), with about 1800 to 2000 carbon atoms being container-like Nanokera with cubic crystal structure and 900 to 1000 surface atoms include.

[21] FIG. 2 shows selected TEM images of NCF shells (vacuum; a: 1415 K; b: 1600 K; c: 1800 K; d: 2150 K). NCF cluster composites in the dry and powdery state are shown in FIG. 3.

[22] The basis for the application of NCF materials and for the multifunctional combination of the NCF systems with other nano-particulate materials, primarily with metallic, metal oxide, oxidic, mineral, organic and other groups of substances, are technologies for the special surfaces -Modification of the nano-particulate systems as well as for the production of stable nano-compounds and for an optimal enabling in appropriate macro structures (organic or inorganic matrices etc.).

To solve the task, it was necessary to characterize the complex dynamics of the NCF systems in combination with other multifunctional nano-particles, the interaction forces between the nano-particles (vd Waals adhesive forces, mass, shape, particle size, etc.) capture the product states between separation, dispersion and agglomeration as well as the dependencies to determine ZETA potential and conductivity, to use optimal dispersion steps (methodology, intensity, duration) as well as adapted technological aids and resources (media, stabilizers) and to set up and implement processes for modifying the nano-particle surfaces.

[24] The decisive process for solving the task is the targeted application of technologies for the chemical and physical modification of surfaces of nano-particulate materials depending on their specific energetic surface characteristics (specific surface, adsorption and ZETA potential) as well the targeted influencing or design of the hydrophobic or hydrophilic balance.

[25] Aspects of the present invention lead to stable multifunctional nano-compound compounds with based, aqueous and organic carrier matrices and with selected polymers, monomers and oligomers.

Figure 4 shows a preferred basic technological scheme with adapted product applications such as: high-performance systems (suspensions, pastes) as nano-compounded finished products for ultra-precise polishing (UPP, CMP, MRP) of surfaces, primarily power optics, semiconductor elements of conductor electronics and super hard crystalline special materials; Also organic-based products with multivalently improved properties (plastics, paints, coatings, oils, greases, waxes, electrochemical / galvanic coatings etc.) such as in particular with regard to mechanical tribological and chemical characteristics, optical characteristics and performance parameters, antimicrobial and easy-to-clean properties; In addition, for example, adsorbents, getter storage, filters, catalyst and drug carriers, etc.

FIG. 5 shows selected NCF nanocompounds (magnified 1000 times) on an aqueous, polymeric and oligomeric basis.

[28] Further advantages of the previously described aspects of the invention and further aspects of the invention are illustrated below using six examples.

example 1

Industrial production of nano-carbon fullerenes (NCF) with predominantly quasi-monocrystalline morphology

[29] A combination of organic energy sources, primarily mixtures of C ₇ H ₅ N ₃ θ ₆ (oxygen value: -73.9%) and cyclotrimethylene trinitramine (oxygen value: -21.6%) is in an enclave with a mass of 15 kg Chamber with a free volume of 100 m ³ with negative oxygen balance brought to the chemical conversion.

In this synthesis technology, the reaction chamber consists of three horizontally and axially arranged cylinders, the central cylinder being designed to be stationary. The two side cylinders can be moved axially by means of an electric drive and ensure that the central cylinder is fed with the energy source as well as the installation of the initial and cooling system.

[31] The chemical reaction takes place in a controlled manner in countercurrent to the shock wave (P> 7.26 x 10 ⁵ bar) in an inert gas atmosphere (<1 bar) in the presence of an atomic hydrogen plasma. After the course of the reaction, the synthesis material is rinsed out under water pressure and introduced into a system-integrated collection reservoir. The downstream cleaning of the NCF systems is carried out chemically.

[32] Technological and invention-specific characteristics are in particular as follows:

[33] Generation of high-purity nano-particulate carbon structures in the condensed state by means of chemical conversion of combined, solid, liquid and hybrid, high-energy carbon donor compounds used according to the invention with a negative oxygen balance.

[34] Formation of the short-term physical transformation of the hexagonal carbon crystal lattice structure into the cubic (diamond lattice) and the fullerene space lattice structure ("cage" structure with »C ₂ , o) according to the martensite mechanism is achieved through: Realization of a topological temperature platform from 3000 to 4500 ° C; implementation of a local pressure level of at least 4.5 GPa; formation of dynamic opposing shock waves in areas of more than 100000 atm as well as limitation of the short-term physical reaction time of the chemical reaction to a maximum of 7 , 5 x 10 ^" ⁶ s. In addition, the re-graphitization of the generated fullerene structures is prevented by forming an atomic hydrogen plasma for the period of the course of the chemical reaction. [35] The most important properties and characteristics of the NCF and the associated innovation and application potential are shown in Figure 6.

[36] NCF is shown optically by means of TEM in FIG. 7. Figures 8/1 to 8/6 show a preferred technological flow scheme of the synthesis process.

Example 2

Industrial production of nano-carbon fullerenes with polycrystalline morphological structure (poly-NCF, PNCF)

In a subsequent technological process step, according to one aspect of the invention, NCF with predominantly quasi-monocrystalline morphology using a CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) -based sintering process in a special high-pressure vacuum system at pressures from 8.0 to 10.5 GPa and temperatures of 1000 to 1500 ° C with subsequent mechanical comminution, chemical processing and appropriate grain size classification in poly-structured NCF.

[38] Technological and invention-specific characteristics are as follows:

First, the diffusion process of a carbon-like carrier gas, preferably of methane, is realized in the space-pore system of the NCF structures.

[40] In addition, the sp ³ hybridization is formed under the following formation parameters: mass velocity in g / cm ² / s according to the calculation term 537.4 exp [-2.68 x 10 ⁵ / RT] x CRT / 16; Linear velocity in m / s after the calculation term 2.67 exp [-2.68 x 10 ⁵ / RT] x CRT / 16, where R is the universal gas constant, C is the carbon concentration in the gas phase in g / cm ³ and T mean the temperature in K.

[41] FIG. 9 shows the TEM image of poly-structured NCF in grain sizes from 2.0 to 5.5 μm. A preferred production technology is shown schematically in FIG.

Example 3 Manufacture and use of multi-functional NCF compounds combined with nano-particles to improve the mechanical properties of paints (coatings) using the example of the 2K PUR matt paint system

[42] According to one aspect of the invention, the modification of finished coating systems with NCF particles takes place indirectly, in that the nano-particles are first predispersed in a polar and low-viscosity solvent which is already part of the coating. These pre-disper gates are then used to modify paint systems.

[43] To modify the 2K-PUR matt varnish, for example, an n-butyl acetate is used as a pre-dispersant, in which 10% monocrystalline NCF particles and 2% of the dispersing agent Disperbyk-2150 (solution of a block copolymer with basic pigment-affine groups) are contained are. The monocrystalline particles are first dispersed in an ultrasonic bath (2 x 600 W / Per., 35 kHz) and then with an ultrasonic flow apparatus (HF output power 200 W, 20 kHz). A sieve with a mesh size of 65 μm is used to remove any contamination.

[44] 500 g of the 2-component PU lacquer (component 1) are initially placed in a beaker and successively with 100 g sub-μm glass flakes (glass plates made of borosilicate glass, medium size 15 μm) and 15 g nano-particulate Aerosil® R972 ( hydrophobicized, pyrogenic Si0 ₂ , average size of the primary particles 16 nm). The additives are dispersed in an ultrasonic bath - here: glass plates for 30 minutes and Aerosil® R972 for 60 minutes. 5 g of the n-butyl acetate predispersate are then stirred in and homogenized again in the ultrasound bath for 60 minutes. The completed nano compound leads to corresponding multi-functional improvements in the complex mechanical characteristics and performance data of the matt coating system.

[45] The modified lacquer is applied (enabling) in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions by adding the prescribed amount of hardener (component 2) to the modified component 1.

[46] Tested u. a. Comparative changes in the surface textures (matt lacquers have such an irregular fine structure of the surface that the light is scattered in all directions and there is hardly any mirror effect), the complex mechanical characteristics and the crosslink density of the modified and the reference lacquer system (not modified).

[47] The evaluation of the surface texture after mechanical treatment with steel wool fleece, with commercially available grinding and polishing paste was carried out microscopically at 100 times magnification and over the Determination of the roughness values using a Perthometer M4Pi from Mahr according to DIN EN ISO 4287.

[48] The determined roughness values - in particular the mean roughness values R _a - indicate a significant improvement in the abrasion resistance and the Martens hardness of the modified paint. The texture (mattness) of the paint surface is not or only insignificantly changed compared to the reference paint after the mechanical loads. These results are shown by the microscopic evaluations.

[49] FIG. 11 clearly shows the improvement in the abrasion resistance and the surface texture of the NCF-improved coating systems in comparison; Figure 12 shows the increase in Martens hardness values and the improvement in abrasion resistance.

Example 4

Manufacture and use of multi-functional NCF compounds combined with nano-particles to improve the tribological properties (sliding properties) of lubricating varnish systems (dry lubricants) using the example of an NCF-modified water-based acrylate varnish

According to one aspect of the invention, finished lacquer systems with NCF particles are modified indirectly, by predispersing the nano-particles in a polar and low-viscosity solvent which is already part of the lacquer. These predispersion gates are also used to modify paint systems.

[51] The acrylic paint chosen here consists of two components. Component 1 contains u. a. the acrylic component (Mowilith), which is very sensitive to shear. For this reason, the second component is modified here, the components of which essentially function to adjust the viscosity (thickener).

[52] Component ratio 1 to 86.4 parts and component 2 to 13.6 parts is selected.

[53] To modify component 2, an aqueous predispersion is used, which contains 5% monocrystalline NCF particles. The monocrystalline particles are first dispersed in an ultrasonic bath (2 x 600 W / Per., 35 kHz) and then with an ultrasonic flow apparatus (HF, output power 200 W, 20 kHz). A sieve with a mesh size of 38 μm is used to remove any contamination.

15.3 g of component 2 are mixed with 200 g of the aqueous predispersate and 75% of the water is removed by tempering to 100 ° C. to adjust the viscosity. The modified component 2 is then stirred into 85 g of component 1. For homogenization and stabilization, the modified lacquer is treated in an ultrasonic bath for 30 minutes, 1.8 g of Tamol® NN8906 (naphthalenesulfonic acid condensation product) are added and the mixture is dispersed again in an ultrasonic bath for 30 minutes. Any contamination is removed with a sieve with a mesh size of 180 μm. The finished modified paint contains 6.5% by weight of NCF particles and 1.3% by weight of Tamol® NN 8906.

[55] The modification improves the sliding friction values by more than double compared to the unmodified lacquer, while the good abrasion resistance is maintained in the Taber Abraser test of the acrylate lacquer. [56] Compared to commercial PTFE and MoS ₂ lubricating varnish systems, the NCF-modified acrylate varnish is better in terms of sliding friction values, with the abrasion resistance increasing by a factor of 6 on average. This is a significant advantage, which has an impact on the user when using sliding varnishes for dry lubrication, especially in increased long-term and long-term lubrication and economic increase in value.

[57] FIG. 13 shows the improvement characteristics in comparison to currently commercially available sliding lacquer and NC hardening paints.

Example 5 Production and Use of an Aqueous Nano-Suspension (Nano-Compound) for the Ultra

Precision polishing based on poly-NCF using the example of the grain size range 0 to 0.5 μm for high-tech applications

According to a further aspect of the invention, an approximately two percent pH-neutral basic suspension is used as a preliminary stage for the preparation of a nano-suspension, which for the special application is diluted to approximately 1.5% and to one with dilute sodium hydroxide solution pH of about 8 is set.

[59] The basic suspension consists of the Poly-NCF system with grain sizes between 0 and 0.5 μm, distilled water and the stabilizers, the consistency regulator polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP or Polyvidon 25 (LAB)) and nano-particulate Aerosil® Ä300 (pyrogenic Si0 ₂ , average size of the primary particles 7 nm) together.

To prepare the suspension, 100 g of the poly-NCF particles are stirred into 5 kg of water in portions and initially dispersed in an ultrasound bath (2 × 600 W / per., 35 kHz) for 3 h. For further dispersion, the dispersate is then treated for 45 min with an ultrasound flow apparatus (HF, output power 1000 W, 40 kHz). Any contamination is removed using a sieve with a mesh size of 38 μm.

[61] Stabilization is achieved by adding 250 g Aerosil® Ä300 and 10 g of a five percent aqueous PVP solution. The batch is then dispersed again for 45 min using the ultrasound flow apparatus. [62] The special pH 8 suspension - approx. 4.8 kg - is prepared by diluting 3.6 kg of the basic suspension with 1.2 kg of distilled water (in a ratio of 3: 1, w: w ) and subsequent homogenization in an ultrasonic bath for 15 min. The pH of the suspension is adjusted to pH 8 ± 0.2 with a 1.5% sodium hydroxide solution. A guide value of approx. 9 ± 2 ml sodium hydroxide solution per kg of the suspension has been found to be useful.

[63] The composition of the nano-compound in parts by weight is roughly as follows:

Poly-NCF (0 to 0.5 μm): 1.4% distilled water: 95%

Aerosil® A300: 3.6%

Polyvidon: 0.007%

NaOH (s): 0.012 ± 0.004%

[64] Excellent properties were determined for this. Exemplary test parameters and performance characteristics achieved are given below. The area of application was the ultra-precise final polish of flat special stepper optics made of CaF ₂ .

[65] The test experiments were structured as follows:

[66] Prerequisite for the experiment: A round CaF ₂ part, in which a small area is covered with protective lacquer, in order to preserve the condition before the etching or release attack of the polishing agent.

[67] Test procedure: Half of the previously specified special optics was processed in accordance with a standard method (cf. FIG. 14: “Standard test for evaluating the polishing agents”) with a rotating tool, coated with a soft polishing cloth, in order to achieve constant removal in vertical meandering paths, starting from the left edge.

[68] Approx. half a liter of the suspension was added in circulation. Processing times were between 30 minutes and 5 hours.

[69] In the same process as described, tests were carried out with standard competition products as a basis for comparison. [70] The following results were achieved: The average ablation with the new suspension was around 800 nm, for comparison it was 30 to 500 nm for standard D0.25 suspensions.

[71] The micro-roughness achieved (also shown in FIG. 15) was approximately 1.1 to 1.2 nm at 2.5 times (between 1.3 and 1.7 nm in comparison with standard D0.25), at 20 times about 0.6 to 0.7 nm (compared to standard D0.25 about 1.1 to 1.7 nm)

The scratch status is shown in FIG. 16. With the new suspension (measured in the dark field microscope at 200 × magnification) there were countably few scratches lying at the limit of visibility. With standard D0.25 there were clear and more visible scratches (see right picture)

[73] In comparison with other tested diamond-based suspensions of the 0.25 μm class, the tested new suspension with poly-NCF thus represents an optimum in terms of scanning performance, micro-roughness, passport formation and scratching of the topography. It has also been shown that with the In new suspensions, drying compensation by adding water is possible without provoking scratching agglomerates.

[74] This makes it possible to use the new suspension for the production of special stepper optics in the lithography area even below the 157 nanotechnology desired by the industry.

[75] FIG. 17 shows the summarized performance results in comparison to reference products of ultra-polishing systems currently being launched on the market.

Example 6

Manufacture and use of a water-soluble poly-NCF paste (anhydrous) for ultra-precision polishing using the example of the grain size range 0.5 to 1.0 μm for high-tech applications

In the method according to a further aspect of the invention, in order to produce a water-free polishing paste - consisting of a poly-NCF polishing system, binder and consistency regulator - the polishing grain of 0.5 to 1 μm used here as an example is first predispersed in distilled water ,

[77] The predisperse is then added and dispersed as a consistency regulator nano-particulate Aerosil® Ä300 (pyrogenic Si0 ₂ , average size of the primary particles 7 nm, source), a binding agent medium - here polyethylene glycol with molecular chain length PEG 400 - stirred in and the distilled water removed quantitatively.

To prepare the predispersate, 40 g of the NCF polishing system are stirred in portions into 2 kg of water and initially dispersed in an ultrasonic bath (2 × 600 W / per., 35 kHz) for 2 h. For agglomerate-free dispersion, the dispersate is treated with an ultrasonic flow apparatus (HF, output power 200 W, 20 kHz) for a further 40 min. Any contamination is removed using a sieve with a mesh size of 38 μm.

[79] For the preparation of approx. 50 g of polishing paste, 125 g of the predispersate are placed in a beaker, Aerosil® Ä300 is stirred in and dispersed in an ultrasonic bath until no microscopic flakes can be seen at 100x magnification - here the required time 15 min. Then 38.75 g of polyethylene glycol are stirred in, and the water is removed by temperature control up to 150 ° C. until residues of less than 0.5%.

[80] This results in the following composition in percent by weight:

Poly-NCF (0.5 to 1.0 μm): 5.5%

Aerosil® Ä300: 9.5%

PEG 400: 85.0%

[81] To determine the performance characteristics, tests were carried out in the area of ultra-precise final polishing of spherical special stepper optics made of CaF ₂ with polishing pads provided with a special pitch coating.

[82] Experimental requirement: Round CaF ₂ parts with radius 117 bisphere, raised (upper and lower polishing) and radius 208 hollow. In the case of the upper polish, non-workable sides were coated with protective lacquer.

[83] Test procedure: The previously specified special optics were clamped in automatic polishing devices. Then 1 to 2 g of polishing paste was applied, the paste was first spread by hand using the pitch polishing pad (pad) that would later be used by machine. After the paste had been evenly distributed, the pad was also clamped into the polisher. Using a standard procedure (circular and sideways, with a low weight of 0.5 to 1 kg), the special op- tik processed all over. In an identical sequence, tests were carried out with standard competition products as a basis for comparison.

[84] As a result, the new paste achieved an average removal of around 950 nm, compared to 400 to 600 nm with standard pastes. The microroughness achieved was 2.5 times about 0.1 to 0.12 nm. This is shown in FIG. In comparison, the standard paste reached about 0.2 to 0.6 nm, which Figure 19 illustrates. At 20 times, the paste proposed here reached about 0.4 to 0.6 nm. The standard paste delivered about 0.9 to 1.5 nm.

[85] The scratch status of the new paste after measurement in the dark field microscope at 200x magnification gave practically no scratches or scratches that were at the limit of visibility (see FIG. 18). Clear scratches were visible on the standard paste. This is shown in Figure 19.

[86] Compared to other tested diamond-based pastes of the 0.5 μm class, the tested new paste with poly-NCF thus represents an unprecedented and unknown optimum in terms of stock removal, micro-roughness, pass formation and scratching of the topography It has been shown that this new paste enables drying compensation by adding water without provoking scratchy agglomerates.

[87] This means that this paste can also be used for the production of special stepper optics in the area of lithography, even below the level of 157 nanotechnology desired by the industry. Figure 20 shows correspondingly summarized comparison results.

[88] FIG. 21 shows further performance results with poly-NCF compounds in the surface treatment of high-tech materials and elements, primarily high-performance electronics and optics.

Claims

claims:

1. Nano-particulate carbon structure (NCF) with carbon in hexagonal and / or cubic modification as well as with oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen and incombustible additives, which have nano-particulate, fullerene formations and are stabilized.

2. NCF according to claim 1, characterized by a composition of its elements in percent by mass as follows: carbon 86.0 to 98.0%, oxygen 1.0 to 6.0%, hydrogen 0.5 to 1.0%, nitrogen 0 , 5 to 2.0% and non-combustible admixtures 0 to 2.0%.

3. NCF according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the material particles and clusters have ogival shapes, on the inner and outer surface of which open pores are localized.

4. NCF according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that open pores have dimensions of 12 to 100 Å according to BET.

5. NCF according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a volume adsorption of at least 300 J / g, preferably of at least 500 J / g, and up to 700 J / g.

6. NCF according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a refractive index of more than 2.55.

7. NCF according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by an absorption limit of the material in the UV range from 220 to over 300 nm and in the near infrared range of more than about 2810 cm ^'1 .

8. NCF according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is present as a powder with a dark gray color.

9. NCF according to claim 8, characterized in that its specific weight in the non-compressed state is between about 2.3 and 3.0 g / cm ³ .

10. NCF according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it only delivers a single phase peak in an X-ray phase analysis, namely that of the cubic modification of the carbon (diamond).

1 1. NCF according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a formation of central crystals of the cubic lattice phase is surrounded by a cage shell made of carbon, wherein the cage shell consists of a regular arrangement of pentagons and hexagons.

12. NCF according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the monocrystals appear colorless.

13. NCF according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by optical isotropy.

14. Fullerene shell (“onion-like carbon”), in which about 1800 to 2000 carbon atoms comprise a container-like nano-core with a cubic crystal structure and about 900 to 1000 surface atoms, preferably having NCF according to one of the preceding claims.

15. A method for producing fullerene shells, characterized in that NCF is thermally treated according to one of claims 1 to 13 in vacuum or in an inert gas atmosphere, for example in an argon atmosphere.

16. A method for producing NCF, in particular NCF according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the starting materials carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen and incombustible admixtures of an organic energy source with a negative oxygen balance in a closed volume in inert gas -Atmospheres are reacted under an atomic hydrogen plasma and the reaction product is then cooled and stabilized.

17. A process for producing NCF with a predominantly quasi-monocrystalline morphology, in particular according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that a combination of substances of organic energy sources, primarily mixtures of C ₇ H ₅ N ₃ 0 ₆ (oxygen value: -73, 9%) and cyclotrimethylene trinitramine (oxygen value: -21.6%) with a mass of 15 kg in an enclave chamber with a free volume of 100 m ³ with a negative oxygen balance for chemical reaction.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that a short-term physical transformation of the hexagonal carbon crystal lattice structure into the cubic structure (diamond lattice) and in the fullerene space lattice structure (cage structure with << C ₂₄₀ ) according to the Martensen mechanism by realizing a topological temperature platform of between 3000 and 4500 ° C, by implementing a local pressure level of at least 4.5 Gpa, by forming dynamic opposing shock waves in areas of more than 100000 atm and by limiting the short-term physical reaction time of the chemical Implementation to less than 7.5 x 10 ^"6 s.

19. The method according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that an atomic hydrogen plasma is formed for the period of the course of the chemical reaction in order to prevent re-graphitization of the fullerene structures generated.

20. A method for producing NCF with a polycrystalline morphological structure (poly-NCF, PNCF), in particular with NCF according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that after the manufacture of the NCF with a predominantly quasi-monocrystalline morphology, this with the aid of a CVD -supported sintering process in a vacuum system at pressures between 8 and 10.5 GPa and temperatures from 1000 to 1500 ° C and then mechanically crushed.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that a carbon-containing carrier gas, preferably methane, is diffused into the space pore system of the NCF structures.

22. A process for producing a nano-particle-combined NCF compound, characterized in that the nano-particles are first predispersed in a polar and low-viscosity solvent and for producing the compound, the predispergate is combined with a fluid which is the same solvent having.

23. Lacquer system, in particular produced according to claim 22, characterized by a modification with NCF particles according to one of claims 1 to 13.

24. Use of NCF particles, in particular according to one of claims 1 to 13, for modifying the mechanical properties of lacquers (coatings), in particular of 2-component PU matt lacquer systems.

25. lubricating coating system (dry lubricant) with NCF, in particular with NCF according to one of claims 1 to 13.

26. Use of NCF, in particular according to one of claims 1 to 13, for producing a nano-particle-combined lubricating varnish system to improve the sliding properties of the lubricating varnish system.

27. Nano-suspension (nano-compound) based on poly-NCF with the following composition (data in percent by weight): poly-NCF about 1.4%, distilled water about 95%, Aerosil® Ä300 about 3.6%, Polyridon about 0.007% and NaOH (s) 0.012% +/- 0.004%.

28. Use of an aqueous nano suspension based on poly-NCF, in particular poly-NCF according to claim 27, for high-precision polishing.

29. Water-soluble poly-NCF paste (anhydrous) with the following composition (percentages by weight): poly-NCF about 5.5%, Aerosil® Ä300 about 9.5% and PEG 400 about 85.0%.

30. Use of a water-soluble poly-NCF paste (anhydrous), in particular a paste according to claim 29, for high-precision polishing, preferably for the final polishing of spherical special stepper optics made of CaF ₂ with polishing pads, which are provided with a special pitch coating are.