Polyynes, linear sp-carbon chains of finite length, can be synthesised by submerged arc discharge in liquid, which so far, has been mainly exploited in organic solvents.In this work, we investigated the technique in water as a cheap and non-toxic solvent to produce polyynes. After optimisation of the process parameters, hydrogen-terminated polyynes (CnH2: n=6-16) were identified by high-performance liquid chromatography with the support of theoretical calculations. Size-selected polyynes were separately analysed by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy allowing to assign the bands of mixed polyynes solution to specific wire lengths. Stabilisation strategies for hydrogen-capped polyynes were also studied, obtaining promising results.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.