Low-dimensional carbon materials to diamond-like phase transitions under extreme conditions: mechanisms, thermodynamic properties and applications

Abstract

This paper reviews the phase transition behavior of low-dimensional carbon materials (LDCMs) under extreme conditions (e.g., high pressures, high temperatures, shock waves, and lasers), revealing the dynamic mechanisms, thermodynamic properties, and applications of newly formed diamond-like phases. Advanced experimental techniques can generate high-pressure, high-temperature and high-strain-rate conditions to induce the transition of carbon atoms from sp² to sp³ hybridization, thereby driving the formation of unique diamond-like phases, such as two-dimensional diamond, paracrystalline diamond, and sp²–sp³ composite phases. Structural modification at the atomic scale holds promise for endowing LDCMs with a range of exceptional physical, mechanical and chemical properties. In this paper, we summarize the interfacial interaction behaviors and phase transition mechanisms of LDCMs with distinct stacking arrangements under extreme conditions and evaluate the application of advanced in situ characterization techniques and computational simulation methods in phase transition research. We further identify the challenge of tuning the non-equilibrium phase transition pathways of LDCMs to achieve large-scale preparation of diamond-like materials with optimal performance, which are promising for future applications in thermal management, electronic devices, and protection against extreme environmental conditions.