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High-resolution electron microscopy of detonation nanodiamond
K Iakoubovskii1, K Mitsuishi, K Furuya
1Quantum Dot Research Center, National Institute for Materials Science, 3-13 Sakura, Tsukuba 305-0005, Japan.
Nanotechnology
|August 10, 2011
Summary
Detonation nanodiamonds possess a clean diamond lattice, suggesting their outer shell is preparation-induced. This study also shows their strong adhesion and patterning capabilities.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Crystallography
Background:
- Nanodiamonds are widely studied for their unique properties.
- A non-diamond shell is commonly observed on nanodiamond particles.
- The origin of this shell has been debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the intrinsic structure of individual nanodiamond grains.
- To determine if the non-diamond shell is inherent to the diamond or the preparation method.
- To explore the adhesive properties and patterning potential of nanodiamonds.
Main Methods:
- High-vacuum aberration-corrected electron microscopy was used.
- Individual nanodiamond grains produced by explosive detonation were analyzed.
- Analysis focused on lattice structure, contamination, grain adhesion, and patterning.
Main Results:
- Many nanodiamond grains exhibited a well-resolved cubic diamond lattice.
- Negligible contamination was observed within the diamond lattice.
- Evidence suggests the non-diamond shell is intrinsic to the preparation process.
- The strength of inter-grain adhesion was demonstrated.
- Sub-nanometer precision patterning of nanodiamonds was shown to be possible.
Conclusions:
- The observed non-diamond shell on nanodiamonds is likely an artifact of the preparation process.
- Nanodiamonds possess strong inter-particle adhesion.
- The potential for precise patterning of nanodiamonds was confirmed.
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