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Updated: Feb 14, 2026
07:26
Synthesis and Microdiffraction at Extreme Pressures and Temperatures
Published on: October 7, 2013
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High-Pressure High-Temperature Nanodiamond-Modified ZnO Nanocomposites as Promising Photocatalysts: Synthesis and
Julia Micova1, Natalia Kosutova1, Miroslav Cavojsky2
1Institute of Chemistry Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 5807/9, 845 38 Bratislava, Slovakia.
Materials (Basel, Switzerland)
|February 13, 2026
Summary
High-pressure, high-temperature nanodiamonds (HPHT NDs) enhance zinc oxide (ZnO) photocatalysis by reducing electron-hole recombination. The resulting ND-ZnO composites show improved efficiency for wastewater treatment.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Environmental Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructures exhibit rapid electron-hole recombination, limiting their use in photocatalysis.
- Detonation nanodiamonds (DNDs) as additives are hindered by high defect densities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and evaluate ZnO nanocomposites modified with high-pressure, high-temperature nanodiamonds (HPHT NDs).
- To determine if HPHT NDs' lower defect density enhances charge separation and photocatalytic activity in ZnO.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of ND-ZnO composites using oxidized HPHT NDs for covalent attachment to ZnO.
- Characterization via SEM/EDX, ATR-FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, XPS, and cathodoluminescence (CL).
Main Results:
- HPHT NDs exhibited a dominant diamond Raman peak (1330 cm-1) and low sp2 carbon (6.6%).
- ND-ZnO composites showed increased carbon incorporation and enhanced near-band-edge emission with reduced defect luminescence.
- ND-ZnO 10 demonstrated a nearly threefold increase in degradation rate constant compared to ZnO.
Conclusions:
- HPHT NDs effectively improve ZnO charge separation and photocatalytic performance.
- The ND-ZnO composites show significant potential for durable and efficient wastewater treatment.
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