Abstract:
Shock-wave synthesis of diamond from C$_{60}$–C$_{100}$-fullerene powder was first accomplished by using the explosive compaction technique with plane wave loading in the pressure range of 24–40 GPa. The compacts of various initial composition comprised diamond, FCC C$_{60}$-fullerite, graphite, and amorphous carbon. The largest diamonds of 0.1–1.0 $\mu$m were obtained under shock loading of pellets consisting of copper powder with 5 wt.% fullerite at 24 and 38 GPa, and pellets consisting of copper powder with 10 wt.% fullerite at 40 GPa. The end product consists of diamond without intermediate diamondlike phases such as $n$-diamond and hexagonal diamond (lonsdaleite).
