Analysis of the structure of a glassy carbon using a profile matching technique

Abstract

Using equations that take into account the strain in random-layer lattices, calculated intensity profiles expected from completely resonating and quinoidal hexagonal rings have been compared with the experimental data. Completely resonating but distorted rings have been found to be predominant. The mean defect-free distance and the strain coefficient (Cauchy type) obtained from the Fourier transform of the intensities permitted an excellent match between the observed and calculated intensity profiles. It is concluded that glassy carbon is made up of a folded network of layers and the folds induce a considerable strain in the lattice.