Quantitative analysis of the local atomic structure in disordered carbon

The quantitative characteristics of a short- and a medium-range order in amorphous carbon synthesized by electric discharge treatment of hydrocarbons are determined by a combined application of X-ray diffraction analysis, Reverse Monte Carlo modeling and Voronoi diagram method. The obtained characteristics exhibit a graphite- or a mixed graphite–diamond-like type of short-range order and, at the same time, a large portion of carbon atoms within chemical bond lengths is combined into 3-fold rings of the tetrahedral structures. Statistical analysis of Voronoi polyhedra has revealed a wide distribution of their topological and metric characteristics that are inherited by disordered materials with predominated 5-fold faces which are typical for amorphous structures. The regular configuration polyhedra (clusters) are virtually absent in the synthesized carbon nanomaterials.