Abstract
We report a molecular dynamics simulation of melting and evaporation of the carbon fullerenes , , and . Several phases, among them a previously unknown ‘‘pretzel’’ phase with a three-dimensional structure of multiply connected carbon rings, can be identified above the high initial melting temperature T≊4000 K. At T≳ K, a complete conversion of compact fullerenes to carbon chain fragments is driven by entropy.
- Received 29 November 1993
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.72.2418
©1994 American Physical Society