Bulk amorphous materials have been studied extensively and are widely used, yet their atomic arrangement remains an open issue. Although they are generally believed to be Zachariasen continuous random networks¹, recent experimental evidence favours the competing crystallite model in the case of amorphous silicon^2,3,4. In two-dimensional materials, however, the corresponding questions remain unanswered. Here we report the synthesis, by laser-assisted chemical vapour deposition⁵, of centimetre-scale, free-standing, continuous and stable monolayer amorphous carbon, topologically distinct from disordered graphene. Unlike in bulk materials, the structure of monolayer amorphous carbon can be determined by atomic-resolution imaging. Extensive characterization by Raman and X-ray spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy reveals the complete absence of long-range periodicity and a threefold-coordinated structure with a wide distribution of bond lengths, bond angles, and five-, six-, seven- and eight-member rings. The ring distribution is not a Zachariasen continuous random network, but resembles the competing (nano)crystallite model⁶. We construct a corresponding model that enables density-functional-theory calculations of the properties of monolayer amorphous carbon, in accordance with observations. Direct measurements confirm that it is insulating, with resistivity values similar to those of boron nitride grown by chemical vapour deposition. Free-standing monolayer amorphous carbon is surprisingly stable and deforms to a high breaking strength, without crack propagation from the point of fracture. The excellent physical properties of this stable, free-standing monolayer amorphous carbon could prove useful for permeation and diffusion barriers in applications such as magnetic recording devices and flexible electronics.

块状非晶材料已被广泛研究并被广泛使用，但它们的原子排列仍然是一个悬而未决的问题。尽管它们通常被认为是 Zachariasen 连续随机网络¹，但最近的实验证据支持非晶硅^2,3,4情况下的竞争微晶模型。然而，在二维材料中，相应的问题仍未得到解答。在这里，我们报告合成，通过激光辅助化学气相沉积⁵，厘米级，独立，连续和稳定的单层无定形碳，在拓扑上与无序石墨烯不同。与散装材料不同，单层无定形碳的结构可以通过原子分辨率成像来确定。拉曼和 X 射线光谱和透射电子显微镜的广泛表征揭示了完全没有长程周期性和三重配位结构，键长、键角和五、六、七和八键分布广泛- 会员戒指。环分布不是 Zachariasen 连续随机网络，而是类似于竞争（纳米）微晶模型⁶. 我们构建了一个相应的模型，该模型能够根据观察结果对单层无定形碳的特性进行密度泛函理论计算。直接测量证实它是绝缘的，其电阻率值类似于通过化学气相沉积生长的氮化硼。独立的单层无定形碳出人意料地稳定并且变形到高断裂强度，没有从断裂点开始裂纹扩展。这种稳定的、独立的单层无定形碳的优异物理特性可以证明对磁记录设备和柔性电子设备等应用中的渗透和扩散屏障有用。