Bonding in liquid carbon studied by time-resolved x-ray absorption spectroscopy

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Physical Chemistry
• Condensed Matter Physics

Background:

• Basic properties of liquid carbon are debated due to extreme temperature and pressure requirements.
• Liquid carbon's volatility makes it transient and difficult to study.
• Understanding liquid carbon bonding is crucial for materials science.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the bonding characteristics of liquid carbon.
• To explore changes in bonding with increasing density.
• To compare experimental findings with molecular dynamics simulations.

Main Methods:

• Utilized picosecond time-resolved X-ray absorption spectroscopy.
• Studied liquid carbon at densities near solid density.
• Employed molecular dynamics simulations for comparison.

Main Results:

• Observed a transition in bonding as liquid carbon density increased.
• Identified a shift from predominantly sp-bonded sites to a mix of sp, sp2, and sp3 sites.
• Experimental results were consistent with simulation predictions.

Conclusions:

• The study provides new insights into the bonding of liquid carbon under high pressure and temperature.
• Picosecond time-resolved X-ray absorption spectroscopy is an effective technique for studying transient materials.
• Density plays a critical role in determining the bonding structure of liquid carbon.