Synthesis of Superhard and Ultrahard Materials by 3D-polymerization of C60, C70 Fullerenes Under High Pressure (15 GPa) and Temperatures up to 1820 K

Abstract

Solid fullerenes C60 and C70 have been treated at high pressure of 15 GPa and high temperatures of 520 - 1820 K for a time of exposure of 60 s and a quenching rate of 300 K s−1 using a toroid-type apparatus. X-ray diffraction and Raman spectra confirm the realization of 3D-polymerized phases in these solids at 15 GPa. The pressure/temperature maps of synthesis of metastable carbon phases on the basis of C60 and C70 have thus been extended to 15 GPa. The longitudinal and shear sound wave velocities were measured by acoustic microscopy techniques. A maximum sound wave velocity of (21±1)×105 m s−1 was observed in the sample synthesized from C60 at T = 1170 K. The elastic constants were calculated using experimental data. The acoustic microscopy images of experimental samples have been investigated.