Carbon macrostructures obtained at AC arc discharge

The differences in are discharge specifics at various locations on the inside of the plasma cord lead to the growth of different carbon structures. Amorphous and low order structures with many defects were observed along the periphery of the deposits. Radially directed layers containing very small size graphite crystals predominate in the regions close to the periphery of the deposit. Conditions favor bucky-tube growth in the deposit center regions, the carbon macrostructures formed represent columns separated well apart, a diverse range of bucky tubes oriented at random have been observed in the spaces between the columns. After etching it was found that graphite crystals directed perpendicular to the axis of the deposit are contained in the column structures. It is shown that due to discharge fluctuations there arise layers that terminate the process of deposit growth. In the periodic process of resublimation, at some locations the layer structure breaks up and multiple-layer spherical perfect formations are synthesized at high temperatures. A wide pore carbon material suitable as a catalyst has been grown.