A new process for the preparation of diamond by American scientists at room temperature and pressure

Case Western Reserve University in Ohio, USA, recently announced a major breakthrough: its research team has successfully created nanodiamonds in a lab setting under atmospheric and near-room temperature conditions. This new method stands in stark contrast to traditional diamond synthesis techniques, which typically require extreme heat and pressure or the use of a substrate for growth. Instead, this innovative process uses just one gas—ethanol—and avoids the need for high-energy inputs. The image shows ethanol vapor being separated by microplasma under an electron microscope, with carbon particles collected and dispersed in a solution. This visual representation highlights the unique way in which the nanodiamonds are formed. This technology opens up exciting possibilities for various scientific and industrial applications. Products like ultrafine diamond-coated plastics, flexible electronics, medical implants, and drug delivery systems could all benefit from the superior properties of diamonds, such as hardness, optical performance, and thermal conductivity. These features make diamonds valuable in both consumer and advanced technological sectors. The findings were published in *Nature Communications* and represent a significant milestone in the university's ongoing diamond research program. Mohan Sankaran, an associate professor in chemical engineering and lead researcher on the project, explained that the process is relatively simple: ethanol vapor is introduced into a plasma, and hydrogen is added to complete the transformation into nanodiamonds. The entire process can be carried out at room temperature and pressure, making it accessible to any well-equipped laboratory. One of the key advantages of this method is that it doesn’t require high temperatures, which means materials like plastics can remain intact during the process. This makes it ideal for applications where delicate substrates are involved. Despite the simplicity of the process, achieving the right balance of gas concentration and flow is critical. Sankaran and his team have been working on refining these parameters for years. Their idea of creating nanodiamonds under normal conditions was first proposed eight years ago, building on earlier work by John Angus, a retired professor at the university, who pioneered high-temperature diamond film production in the 1960s and 1970s. Traditionally, diamond preparation requires either high-pressure, high-temperature environments or chemical vapor deposition (CVD) methods involving heated substrates. However, Sankaran explains that at the nanoscale, surface energy stabilizes diamond more effectively than graphite. If carbon clusters of about 5 nm can nucleate in the gas phase, diamond formation becomes possible at atmospheric pressure and room temperature. To achieve this, the researchers developed a low-temperature microplasma by pumping argon through a narrow tube and ionizing it. This creates a stable, controllable plasma environment. Ethanol, as the carbon source, is then introduced into the microplasma, allowing carbon atoms to form small particles without interference from other gases. Within less than a millionth of a second, hydrogen is added to remove non-diamond carbon, ensuring the purity of the final product. Currently, the team has only produced nanodiamonds with a size of around 2 nanometers. While they haven’t yet achieved the size required for jewelry-grade diamonds, they’re working to maintain consistent particle sizes. It took nearly a year to verify that the material produced was indeed diamond, using multiple analytical techniques including Raman spectroscopy. Compared to conventional methods like explosive synthesis, which rely on short-lived high-pressure and high-temperature conditions, this new approach produces purer, smaller, and more uniform nanodiamonds. Traditional methods often result in clustered, inconsistent particles, but the Case Western team’s method addresses these issues effectively. In their experiments, the researchers produced three types of diamonds: cubic, hydrogen-containing, and hexagonal. Hexagonal diamonds, which have been observed in space, are particularly intriguing. Scientists believe that the high pressures from interstellar dust collisions help convert graphite into diamond in outer space. Sankaran suggests that this new technique might mimic the natural processes that create "stellar diamonds" found in space. Looking ahead, the team is exploring ways to refine the process for producing diamonds with specific properties and controlled characteristics. Among the three types, hexagonal diamonds are harder than cubic ones, offering potential for advanced applications. The next big step is scaling up production. Sankaran is optimistic about the future, believing that once the technology matures, it could lead to cost-effective and simple diamond manufacturing, enabling new innovations across industries.

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