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Surface Structure of Aerobically Oxidized Diamond Nanocrystals
Abraham Wolcott1, Theanne Schiros2, Matthew E Trusheim3
1Department of Chemistry, Department of Electrical Engineering, Department of Applied Mathematics and Applied Physics, and Energy Frontier Research Center, Columbia University , New York, New York 10027, United States ; Department of Chemistry, Department of Electrical Engineering, Department of Applied Mathematics and Applied Physics, and Energy Frontier Research Center, Columbia University , New York, New York 10027, United States ; Department of Chemistry, Department of Electrical Engineering, Department of Applied Mathematics and Applied Physics, and Energy Frontier Research Center, Columbia University , New York, New York 10027, United States ; Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology , Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States ; Diamond Nanotechnologies Inc., Boston, Massachusetts 02134, United States.
Aerobic oxidation of high-pressure, high-temperature nanodiamonds (HPHT) effectively removes graphitic impurities and creates hydroxyl functionalized surfaces, ideal for biological labeling applications.
Area of Science:
- Nanomaterials Science
- Surface Chemistry
- Spectroscopy
Background:
- High-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) nanodiamonds are promising nanomaterials.
- Surface functionalization is crucial for applications like biological labeling.
- Contamination from graphitic carbon can hinder HPHT nanodiamond utility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the aerobic oxidation of HPHT nanodiamonds.
- To characterize the resulting surface functional groups and purity.
- To assess the suitability of oxidized HPHT nanodiamonds for biological applications.
Main Methods:
- Aerobic oxidation at 575 °C for 2 hours.
- X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) at carbon and oxygen K-edges.
- X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and vibrational spectroscopies.
Main Results:
- Oxidation effectively eliminated graphitic carbon (>98%).
- Nanocrystals were functionalized with hydroxyl groups and a minor amount of carboxylic anhydrides.
- Spectroscopic data indicated high crystallinity, comparable to chemical vapor deposited (CVD) diamond.
Conclusions:
- Aerobic oxidation is a viable method for purifying and functionalizing HPHT nanodiamonds.
- The resulting hydroxylated surfaces are suitable for further modification.
- HPHT nanodiamonds, after oxidation, show potential for advanced applications such as biological labeling.
