We extracted diamond-like carbon particles from glycerol solution by cathodic plasma electrolysis process under atmospheric pressure. The electron temperature in plasma discharge region was calculated. The morphology and composition of diamond-like carbon particles, as well as the decomposition mechanism of electrolyte were analyzed. The results showed that the electron temperature during cathodic plasma electrolysis process was about 11000 K. The high electron temperature provided the formation environment for diamond-like component. The carbon particles were less than 100 nm in diameter with the sp(3) content about 28.7%. Glycerol molecules were decomposed into C, H, O reactive species during the intense plasma discharge process. Some carbon species were accelerated by electric field towards cathode forming a hardened layer on the surface, while others were polymerized into suspended diamond-like carbon particles in the solution. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.