Synthesis and high pressure induced amorphization of C60 nanosheets

C-60 nanosheets with thicknesses in the nanometer range were synthesized by a simple method. Compared to bulk C-60, the lattice of the nanosheets is expanded by about 0.4%. In situ Raman spectroscopy and energy-dispersive x-ray diffraction under high pressures have been employed to study the structure of the nanosheets. The studies indicate that the bulk modulus of the C-60 nanosheets is significantly larger than that of bulk C-60. The C-60 cages in nanosheets can persist at pressures over 30 GPa, 3 GPa higher than for bulk C-60. These results suggest that C-60 crystals in even small size will be a potential candidate of superhard materials.