Structural transformations in carbon nanoparticles

The structure of icosahedral carbon (diamond and onion-like) nanoparticles is discussed. It is shown that, in carbon nanoparticles, the reversible structural transformations of icosahedral particles into particles with a shell structure can occur without breaking of bonds or disturbance of their topological integrity. New structural models are proposed and analyzed for carbon nanoparticles. The diffusionless mechanism of reversible transformations between diamond-like and onion-like particles is proposed for the first time.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]