Carbon-based amorphous and fullerene-like (FL) thin films
have a great potential due to their mechanical resiliency. TEM
investigation and interpretation of results from FL structures
embedded in bulk phases is not straightforward. Here, a model
is presented for description of the structure of FL-CP0.1 thin
films and to describe all the rings in the electron diffraction
pattern in a self-consistent way. The model structure consists of random close-packed and P-doped C20 clusters resembling a
kind of amorphous fullerite (crystals of fullerene cages). The 10% P doping was implemented by creating C18P2 cages by
replacing two C atoms by P in the C20 cage. The simulated
electron scattering is in agreement with the experimental
electron diffraction pattern and reproduces all the observed
diffuse diffraction rings of FL-CP0.1 at 1.6, 2.6, and 5.9A.
Simulation of HRTEM images confirmed the amorphous
appearance of this nanostructured material
