Nanodiamonds from Fuel

Abstract

In this paper, we present the results of the synthesis of nanodiamonds from carbon nanostructures and diamondoids in an arc discharge. The electrodes used in the experiments were a molybdenum cathode and a copper anode coated with carbon nanostructures such as carbon nanotubes and diamondoids. The formation of carbon nanostructures on the surface of a copper electrode was carried out in an electric arc sunk into fuel oil. At the next stage, these carbon nanostructures served as a source of atomic carbon and diamondoids from the surface of the arc discharge anode. The use of fuel oil as a feedstock for creating the electrode material probably led to the retention of diamondoids contained in fuel oil during two vaporizations. It was found that, in addition to carbon nanotubes, nanodiamonds also formed on the cathode surface.