Formation of carbon phases under hydrothermal conditions

Abstract

The formation of carbon phases by reacting formaldehyde with sulfuric acid under hydrothermal conditions was studied. The final products of the reaction were found to be amorphous carbon, diamond-like carbon, α- and β-graphite phases, fullerenes C₆₀ and C₇₀, fullerites, carbolite, and chaoite. Hydrocarbons of various compositions were detected in reaction products, namely cyclic hydrocarbons, including aromatic ones, and naphthene hydrocarbons. A formation scheme is suggested for carbon structures.