Search for Fullerenes in Geological Carbonaceous Samples Altered by Experimental Lightning

Abstract Three rocks with different organic carbon content, graptolitic shale, metamorphosed black schist and bituminous coal, have been subjected to high‐energy electric impulses of current amplitudes comparable to lightnings that form fulgurites. Search for fullerenes has been done directly on altered surfaces using infrared spectroscopy. Toluene extractable material from altered samples has been investigated by means of high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and electron‐impact ionization mass spectroscopy (EI‐MS) for the presence of fullerenes. Two peaks characteristic for fullerenes can be observed in infrared spectrum of one sample of metamorphosed black schist, but no C60 fullerene has been detected using HPLC and EI‐MS either in this sample or in bituminous coal and graptolitic shale.