The positron lifetime spectra of directional graphite and nanocrystalline carbon have been measured. Two kinds of microdefect were found in the nanocrystalline carbon prepared by the heat- dissolve method:free volumes (with a size smaller than that of a monovacancy) and microvoids (with a size of about ten monovacancies). The lifetimes measured
and the corresponding interfacial defects in the samples are discussed in comparison with the nanocrystalline iron and TiO2 materials
prepared by " compacting ultrafine powders" method and the nanocrystalline NiP material prepared by the crystallization method.