FORMATION OF GIANT ONION-LIKE FULLERENES UNDER AL NANOPARTICLES BY ELECTRON-IRRADIATION

The conversion of an amorphous carbon film under Al nanoparticles to g iant onion-like: fullerenes (GOLFs), which was induced by electron irr adiation in a transmission electron microscope, has been investigated. It has become clear that the nucleation and growth processes forming GOLFs from an amorphous carbon film consist of three steps. first, the Rakes of GOLFs are induced under Al nanoparticles; second, the Bakes grow into a few ellipsoidal graphitic shells; and third, a gradual reo rganization occurs into structures comprising the quasi-spheroidal gra phitic shells that are GOLFs. Fullerenes containing Al nanoparticles a nd Al atoms have been generated through these processes. It is suggest ed that the mechanism involves collisions with high-energy electrons a nd a catalytic effect of Al, while any temperature rise due to electro n irradiation seems to be negligibly small. Acta Metallurgica Inc. Pub lished by Elsevier Science Ltd.