Effect of preparation conditions on diamond cluster formation in bulk nanoporous carbon

The structure of bulk nanoporous carbon chemically prepared from SiC powders is studied by TEM microdiffraction and HRTEM techniques. The conditions for the formation of diamond and graphite clusters in the carbonization process are analyzed. The experimental data suggest that diamond clusters can be produced near carbonization reaction front in the case of its quick propagation into the precursor. The slower the reaction front, the greater is the chance that graphite or quasi-graphite clusters are formed.