Abstract

The structural stability of nanodiamonds (ND) has been investigated as a function of abrasion/friction and thermal annealing. Nanodiamonds examined before and after abrasion by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) are found to have modified surface characteristics. Frictional rubbing generates smaller, non-spherical particles with rougher, cleaner surfaces, and debris consisting of compacted ND+amorphous carbons. Annealing of ND and abraded ND at 1000°C demonstrates that abrasive pre-treatment increases proportion of transformation to onion-like-carbon (OLC) structures with generation of 3-30nm diameter OLC. The OLC achieved are of similar dimensions to those grown from ND annealed with a Ni catalyst but with more defective microstructures.

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