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The formation of quasi-icosahedral spiral shell carbon particles

Abstract

A simple, new, carbon nucleation scheme has been developed which results in quasi-single crystal particles of concentric, spiral-shell internal structure and overall quasi-icosahedral shape. Intermediates consisting of curved graphitic networks and overall growth controlled by epitaxy are key factors in the scheme which also produces buckminsterfullerene, C60B, as an inert by-product. The scheme which explains, for the first time, the occurrence of polyhedral carbonaceous particles may also apply to soot and circumstellar dust formation.

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Kroto, H., McKay, K. The formation of quasi-icosahedral spiral shell carbon particles. Nature 331, 328–331 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1038/331328a0

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