Catalytic 3D polymerization of C₆₀

ABSTRACT

The present study addresses the problems of catalytic synthesis of C₆₀-based 3D polymers in the presence of carbon disulfide CS₂. It is shown that CS₂ lowers the pressure of fullerite 3D polymerization at room temperature. In particular, the pressure at which the 3D ultrahard fullerite C₆₀ phase is formed decreases from 18 GPa to 7 GPa. The catalyst plays no significant role at room temperature and low pressures up to 6 GPa. When the C₆₀ + CS₂ is heated to 1200 K, the pressure of the 3D C₆₀ polymerization is further reduced to 2–4 GPa. Based on the TEM data, we propose a 3D polymer structure based on C₆₀ obtained by the catalytic synthesis.

KEYWORDS:

• Fullerene
• superhard materials
• high pressure

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation (project ID RFMEFI59317×0007; the agreement No. 14.593.21.0007); the work was done using the Shared-Use Equipment Center “Research of Nanostructured, Carbon and Superhard Materials” in FSBI TISNCM.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation, (ID RFMEFI59317X0007; No. 14.593.21.0007).