The structure and dynamics of hard carbon formed from C-60 fullerene

Subjecting C-60 to high pressure and temperature reveals a wide range of ne w carbon structures ranging from polymeric to amorphous diamond-like phases . When C-60 is compressed at 3 GPa and heated to 700 degrees C it produces a form of carbon that is semimetallic and has a hardness that is approximat ely two-thirds that of diamond. From elastic and inelastic neutron scatteri ng measurements and transmission electron microscopy we propose that this p hase is composed of regularly warped graphite planes, much like corrugated cardboard or iron. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.