Carbon composite based on fullerenes and exfoliated graphite

Abstract

A carbon composite material based on fullerenes and exfoliated graphite with different ratios (from 16: 1 to 1: 16 by weight) is synthesized and investigated. Samples are obtained by the introduction of C₆₀ in a conductive matrix by means of heat treatment of initial disperse mixtures in a vacuum diffusion–adsorption process followed by cold pressing and annealing. It is shown that covalent bonds are formed between the fullerenes and the environment. The conductivity of the samples is quite high and ranges from a few to hundreds (Ω cm)^–1. The concentration of charge carriers (mainly holes) is ~10¹⁹ to 10²⁰ cm^–3. It is concluded that the material obtained using these ratios of the components can be attributed to metal systems with structural disorder.