Synthesis of carbon nano- and meso-structures by laser-induced coalescence of fullerenes Original Research Article

Theoretical investigation has proposed fullerenes as precursors of a new family of carbon nanostructures: schwarzite, hollow diamonds, nanowires, etc. In order to explore new synthetic routes we have studied the laser-induced modification of fullerite. Ordered graphitic micro- and nano-structures have been produced by pulsed laser irradiation of fullerite under controlled atmosphere. Our experiments show the possibility of etching periodic mesoscopic structures from fullerite surfaces. Starting from fullerite, it is also possible to produce thin layers of a composite material formed by oriented graphitic nanofibers embedded in an amorphous matrix.