Preparation of Polyynes by the Laser Ablation of Graphite in Water and Organic Solvents

Polyynes were formed by laser ablation of a graphite target in deionized water (H2O and D2O) and various organic solvents such as acetonitrile, n-hexane, and c-hexane and were identified by analyzing ultraviolet (UV) absorption and Raman spectra. We assigned the major UV absorption peaks that coincided with the electronic transitions corresponding to linear polyyne chains. The UV absorption peak intensities of a polyyne solution decreased as the holding temperature of the solution increased. Also, the absorption spectra of polyynes obtained by laser ablation of a graphite target at different volume fractions of H2O and D2O were examined.