Fullerene C60 destruction under shear deformation and high pressure action

Fullerene C60 was subjected to shear deformation and high pressure (3.3 GPa) action. The products obtained can be divided into unchanged C60 and a black substance insoluble in benzene. The latter part increases with severity of shear deformation applied. The IR and Raman spectra of the transformed material lacked significant signals, giving evidence of the destruction of the C60 buckyball structure and formation of a phase closer to the amorphous system of sp2 and sp3 hybridized carbon atoms. Scratching and abrasion phenomena observed under SDHP action, must be attributed to the newly formed carbon phase and not to the initial C60 nature.