Raman and electron microscopy study of C60 collapse/transformation to a nanoclustered graphene-based disordered carbon phase at high pressure/temperature

• Transformation of C60 polymers to a superelastic hard carbon (nanoclustered graphene phase (NGP)) occurring in metal matrix at 5 GPa in a temperature interval of 1000–1100 K was studied by optical, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Raman spectroscopy. Raman spectral scan across the sample surface allowed us to identify different stages of the structural transformation. The SEM and Raman spectroscopy data testify for the NGP appearance at the defects concentration sites in the parent fullerite structure. We propose that the buckyballs collapse/formation of the NGP is governed by nucleation and growth (diffusive) mechanism unlike earlier discussed in the literature possibility of the martensitic-type (displacive) character of this transformation.

Subject headings

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Fysik -- Annan fysik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Physical Sciences -- Other Physics Topics (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Experimentell fysik

Experimental physics

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)