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Updated: Aug 16, 2026

Characterization of Nanocrystal Size Distribution using Raman Spectroscopy with a Multi-particle Phonon Confinement Model
Published on: August 22, 2015
[Studies on nano-diamond prepared by explosive detonation by Raman and infrared spectroscopy]
Chao Wen1, Zhi-Hao Jin, Xiao-Xin Liu
1State Key Laboratory of Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China.
Abstract:
Nano-diamond was synthesized by TNT/RDX explosives detonation in a steel chamber and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), laser Raman spectroscopy, and infrared spectroscopy. XRD results indicate that nano-diamond has cubic diamond structure. The parameter of unit cell of nano-diamond is 0.359 23 nm and is 0.72% larger than that of the bulk diamond. The high-density defects and other impurity atoms in the nano-diamond structure may lead to the large lattice constant. The examination results of Raman spectra show that the Raman band is broader and shifts to l ow frequency by 3 cm(-1), because the size of nano-diamond reaches nanometer order. There is little graphite in the nano-diamond. There are two peaks in FTIR of the nano-diamond, which are characteristic peaks of diamond at 1 262 and 1 134 cm(-1). Besides these two peaks, there are six peaks at 3 422, 1 643, 2 971, 2 930, 2 857 and 1 788 cm(-1) respectively. The FTIR bands at 2 930 and 2 857 cm(-1) are the antisymmetrical and symmetrical stretch vibration absorption spectra of CH2 respectively. The 3 422 cm(-1) is the stretch vibration absorption peak of O-H. The 1 634 cm(-1) confirms that there are H2O in the nano-diamond. The 2 971 cm(-1) is the antisymmetrical stretch vibration absorption peak of CH3. The 1 788 cm(-1) is the stretch vibration absorption peak of C=O. These indicate that there are H and O elements in the nano-diamond. From the mechanism of the nano-diamond, the authors discuss the reason for the vibration absorption peaks of O-H, CH2, CH3, and C=O, existing in the FTIR of the nano-diamond.
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