Amorphous state of sp$^2$ solid carbon

TL;DR

This paper explores the fundamental differences between sp$^2$ and sp$^3$ amorphous carbons, emphasizing their distinct short-range orders and molecular structures rooted in the two-mode valence electron configuration of carbon.

Contribution

It introduces a conceptual framework distinguishing two types of amorphous carbon based on their short-range order and molecular characteristics, grounded in solid-state physics.

Findings

sp$^2$ and sp$^3$ amorphous carbons are fundamentally different.

sp$^2$ amorphics feature graphene-like domains with heteroatom necklaces.

The molecular character of sp$^2$ amorphics aligns with their formation mechanisms.

Abstract

Two-mode valence electron configuration of carbon atoms lays the foundation of the unique two-mode amorphous state of the monoatomic carbon solid. From the fundamentals of solid-state physics, sp$^3$ and sp$^2$ amorphous carbons are two different amorphous species characterized by conceptually different short-range orders, namely, groups of tetrahedrally bonded sp3 configured atoms and size-restricted sp$^2$ graphene domains framed with heteroatom necklaces. Molecular character of sp$^2$ amorphics is coherent with the reaction mechanism of the solid amorphicity in due course of the forced fragmentation.