Laser-Induced Coalescence of C60 in the Solid State

The transformation of monocrystalline and polycrystalline fullerite induced by high-power laser irradiation has been studied by Raman spectroscopy. The local heating of the samples promotes oxygen-driven cage-opening reactions. Raman spectra show that fullerenes coalesce to form a new phase with an amorphous carbon nanostructure. The influence of the chemical environment and of the morphology of the sample on the onset of the thermal microreactions is presented. 15 refs., 2 figs.