Structure of Carbon Black Particles

High pressure Raman and neutron scattering study of carbon blacks and HOPG graphite is reported. Carbon black particles are composed of graphitic nanocrystallites and amorphous carbon. Relative concentration of amorphous carbon decreases slightly with increased pressure. This non-reversible process differs from temperature induced transformations of amorphous carbon into ordered carbon. Post-production treatment at high temperatures results in the growth of graphitic crystallites whereas no such effect was observed when the pressure was applied to carbon black.