A rich variety of carbon-derived structural states originates not only from various hybridization motifs carbon atom manifests, but also structural diversity of the precursors used in materials synthesis, including nanostructured molecular systems (fullerenes, nanotubes and graphene). These systems have been in focus of attention of the scientific community due to the rich assortment of outstanding chemical, optical, electrical and mechanical properties they exhibit [1]. High pressure provides a unique pathway to synthesize novel carbon-based materials that are unattainable under ambient conditions, transforming the nanostructured van der Waals-bonded precursors into robust, covalently bonded networks. 
In this talk, we review our recent results on synthesis of a new class of carbon-based materials under high pressure from various precursors including graphite nano-platelets, glassy carbon and fullerite C₆₀. These materials exhibit a remarkable combination of mechanical and electronic properties (ultra-hardness, superior wear resistance, and semiconducting behavior) [2-4]. They were characterized by multi-excitation Raman spectroscopy, SEM, XRD, high-resolution scanning TEM/EELS revealing the relationship between synthesis parameters and the resulting sp²/sp³ hybridized carbon frameworks. Application of torsion under high pressure to nano-graphite induces a phase transformation to hexagonal diamond allotrope (lonsdaleite) at ambient temperature providing a unique alternative to conventional high-pressure/high-temperature synthesis route [4-6]. Finally, we will discuss the potential of these materials for applications, present a viable route to design of carbon materials with target mechanical and electronic properties.

1. S. Srinivasan, et al. Nature Communications (2022) 13:3251.
2. S. Zhang, et al. National Science Review (2022) 9: nwab140.
3. Z. Li, et. al. Nature Materials (2023) 22:42.
4. D. Chen, et al. Nature Materials (2025) 24: 513.
5. L. Yang, et al. Nature (2025) 644: 370.
6. S. Lai, et al. Nature (2026) 651: 621.

nanostructured carbon, high pressure, shear deformation