High-resolution electron microscopy of tubule-containing graphitic carbon

Abstract

Carbon extracted from a cathodic graphite rod following arc-discharge in helium is examined using high-resolution electron microscopy. It is found that, in addition to the well known extended graphitic tubules (‘buckytubes’), carbon produced in this way contains many other novel graphitic structures. Of particular interest are small hollow particles which, although essentially tubular, appear to differ in significant ways from the extended tubules. Evidence for tetrahedral bonding in some of the graphitic particles is also presented.