2024-03-27 07:00:13
Scientists have simulated a theoretical form of carbon, potentially stronger than diamond. Diamond is known to be the hardest material on Earth, but BC8 could surpass its strength by 30%.
The BC8, a crystal composed of eight atoms of carbone, stands out for its ability to withstand compression 30% greater than that of diamonds. However, its synthesis in the laboratory remains a challenge, with current attempts having been unsuccessful.
Credit: Mark Meamber/LLNL
A recent simulation demonstrated that its creation would only be possible under conditions of pressure and temperature very specific. This discovery, published in The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters in January, could shed light on the formation of BC8 at the heart of carbon-rich exoplanets. These exoplanets, under extreme conditions, could favor the appearance of carbonaceous structures such as diamond and BC8. Ivan Oleynik, professor of physique at theUniversity of Florida of Sud and lead author of the study, emphasizes the importance of understanding BC8 to accurately model the interior of these distant exoplanets.
To unravel the mysteries of BC8, researchers used Frontier, a supercomputer located at the Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility, to simulate billions of carbon atoms under various conditions. Their study reveals that BC8 would be extremely stable at pressures exceeding 1,250 gigapascals, or more than 12 million times the Earth’s atmospheric pressure, All remaining stable at ambient temperatures once formed.
The atomic structure of BC8, similar to that of diamond but without its cleavage planes, which are the weak points of gems, indicates superior strength. This new understanding of the formation and stability of BC8 motivates researchers to attempt its synthesis again. The Lawrence Livermore National Ignition Laboratory (LLNL) is exploring methods involving high pressure, including propelling diamonds against each other at speeds greater than 45,000 mph.
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