THE FORMATION OF DIAMOND-LIKE CARBON-FILMS DUE TO MOLECULAR IMPACTS ON GRAPHITE

Molecular dynamics simulation is used to investigate the formation of diamond-like carbon films due to energetic impacts of large molecules such as fullerene C-60, bucky tubes C-100 and C-200 and polyethylene o n a graphite surface. The local densification around the impact site a nd the consequent change in the bonding of both the constituent atoms of the striking molecule and the struck graphite target surface are an alysed as a function of the energy per particle of the incoming molecu le. Simulation data are presented in the relative probability of formi ng sp(3)- and sp(1)-bonded carbon from the energetic collision of thes e molecules with the surface. It is found that the ratio of sp(3) and sp(1) bonds create peaks at around 100 eV per atom. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A.