Nanodiamond Research Articles

Large internal stress induced nonlinear current-voltage behavior in nanodiamond strengthened ZnO ceramics.

The modulation of the electrostatic potential barrier at grain boundaries determines the performance of many ceramic-based electronics such as varistors. However, conventional protocols relying on complex doping and annealing processes inevitably increase the inhomogeneity of microstructure, which may jeopardize the performance stability and mechanical reliability in service. Instead of doping, herein we demonstrate an effective strategy to modulate the potential barrier in ZnO-based low-voltage varistors by exploiting internal stress-induced piezoelectric polarization. The local residual stress as large as ~1 GPa can be created in the ZnO matrix by incorporating ultra-stiff nanodiamond particles using a cold sintering process. As a result, the composite with only 2 wt% of nanodiamond exhibits a prominent nonlinear current-voltage response at a low switch voltage of 15.7 V/mm, which is ascribed to the depressed barrier height induced by the distinct effects of positively and negatively charged polarization on grain boundaries. More strikingly, the large internal stress can significantly enhance the strength of the composite by more than 230% compared with the monolith, owing to the highly strengthened grain boundaries and crack-tip bridging from prestressed nanodiamonds. These findings add internal stress as a new dimension to design mechanically robust ceramic electronics with high performance.

Effects of nanodiamonds on the mechanical properties, acoustic properties, vibration damping, and flame retardancy of ramie-fiber epoxy composite panels used for indoor applications

This research aims to systematically analyze the impact of nanodiamonds (NDs) in ramie fiber-reinforced epoxy resin acoustic panels used for indoor applications. The panels (four variants) are fabricated using six layers of ramie fiber with various weight percentages of NDs (0.0, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6) in epoxy resin by the vacuum resin infusion process (VRIP). Mechanical characterization (tensile and flexural strength) was carried out using Instron 8801 universal testing machine. The impedance tube-based sound absorption coefficient (SAC) test was performed at low frequency and higher frequency, respectively. The void content in the panel is evaluated using a micro-x-ray computed tomography (CT) scanner. The dispersion of nanoparticles is studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images. The vertical flame-retardant test and the horizontal flame-retardant test were conducted according to the UL-94 standard. The 0.4 wt.% NDs sample showed good tensile strength (59.178 MPa) and flexural strength (69.134 MPa) compared with other panels. The panels showed differences in SAC values for different weight percentages of NDs, both at lower and higher frequencies. The 0.6 wt.% NDs sample attained the maximum SAC of 0.906 at 6000 Hz in the high-frequency and 0.34 at 1112 Hz in the low-frequency. The SEM reveals an even distribution of NDs in both the 0.2 and 0.4 wt.% NDs panels, while agglomerates form in the 0.6 wt.% panels. The CT scan result shows void content both internally and externally in the panels. There are no voids in the panels where NDs are uniformly distributed. The synergistic effect of NDs in epoxy resin forms a char over the burnt surfaces of samples, enhancing the flame-retardant properties of the panels. According to this study, adding NDs to ramie fiber epoxy composites has improved the panels’ necessary qualities, making them suitable for use as indoor acoustic conditioning materials.

The Nature of Molecular Hybridizations in Nanodiamonds for Boosted Fe(III)/Fe(II) Circulation.

Reducing agents have been frequently utilized as electron donors for Fe(II) generation to resolve the sluggish Fe(III) reduction in Fenton-like reactions, while their irreversible consumption necessitates a robust catalytic system that utilizes green electron donors such as H2O2. In this study, we used annealed nanodiamonds (NDs) as a collection of model catalysts with different sp2/sp3 ratios to investigate the roles of the molecular structure in boosting the Fenton-like reactions. The annealed NDs acted as an electron mediator to transfer electrons from H2O2 to surface-adsorbed Fe(III) for Fe(II) generation as well as an electron donor for direct Fe(III) reduction, driving Fe(II)-catalyzed H2O2 decomposition to produce massive hydroxyl radicals, demonstrating potential in the real-water matrixes. Galvanic cell experiments show that the contribution ratio of mediation and electron donation is 2.75:1, indicating that the majority of Fe(II) was generated through electron transfer from H2O2. Additionally, different carbon configurations (sp-sp2-sp3 hybridizations) were compared to assess the molecular structure-performance relationships in Fe(III) reduction. This study unveils the distinct functions of carbon molecular structures in driving Fe(III)/Fe(II) circulation and provides insights into sustainable Fenton oxidation driven by metal-free catalysis.

Influence of nanodiamond on compressive and dry-sliding wear behaviors of Al2O3–Al interpenetrating-phase composites

In this research, the effects of nanodiamond (ND) addition at different loadings on the compressive and wear properties of the interpenetrating phases hybrid aluminum/alumina (Al/Al2O3) composite were investigated. The samples were fabricated in a two-step process. First, the Al2O3-ND preforms were fabricated via the replica method. Second, the squeeze casting route was employed to infiltrate the molten pure Al. The ceramic preforms were made by immersing a polyurethane foam with 17 ppi pores in a slurry containing α-Al2O3 powder (1 μm), ND particles (0–10 vol%), and natural egg white. After sintering at 1500 °C for 4 h, the preheated preforms were infiltrated with molten Al. The microstructural evaluations of the preforms and composites revealed a proper distribution of the ND particles in the preform, as well as the formation of the ND agglomerates at higher volume percentages. Also, the hardness of the samples enhanced with an increase in the ND loading, reaching a maximum of 263.8 Vickers for the 10 vol% ND-loaded composite. The compressive strength of the samples enhanced up to 3 vol% ND addition and then decreased due to the agglomeration. The wear test results indicated that the best behavior was related to the 3 vol% ND-loaded composite. Embedding the 3 vol% ND decreased the weight rate and friction coefficient of the interpenetrating phases hybrid Al/Al2O3 composite by 16 % (from 8.2396×10−3 to 6.9269×10−3 mm3/m) and 12 % (0.8165 to 0.7238), respectively. The study of the worn surfaces of the samples after wear testing revealed that the dominant wear mechanisms were abrasive and adhesive for the higher and lower volume fractions of the ND, respectively.

Enhancing high-temperature wear resistance of plasma-sprayed NiCrBSi coatings with nanodiamond reinforcement

High-temperature wear causes industrial components to degrade quickly, leading to reduced efficiency, frequent breakdowns, and costly repairs. Thermal spraying is a surface modification technique employed to address these wear issues by shielding the component using protective coatings. In this study, the high-temperature wear behavior of plasma-sprayed NiCrBSi coatings reinforced with Nanodiamond (ND) particles was systematically evaluated. The coatings were reinforced with 1 wt% and 2 wt% ND, and their tribological performance was assessed under varying thermal conditions. Tribological tests were conducted using a ball-on-disk setup at elevated temperatures of 473 K, 673 K, and 873 K for 60 min. The experimental results demonstrated a significant improvement in the wear response and frictional characteristics of the NiCrBSi coatings with the incorporation of ND particles. Specifically, the NiCrBSi coating reinforced with 2 wt% ND exhibited a significantly lower wear volume loss and a reduced coefficient of friction when compared to the pure NiCrBSi coating. At 873 K, the NiCrBSi-2ND coating demonstrated a 64 % reduction in wear volume loss and 85 % decrease in the coefficient of friction, compared to the pure NiCrBSi coating. The incorporation of NDs greatly enhanced the lubrication and hardness of the NiCrBSi-2ND coating as well as improved the adhesion of wear debris to the newly exposed wear track. The high thermal conductivity of NDs enhanced heat transfer to the coatings, facilitating the formation of a protective tribo layer at elevated temperatures, which improved the wear resistance of the NiCrBSi-2ND coating. These findings underscore the potential of ND as a reinforcing agent to significantly enhance the durability and efficiency of NiCrBSi coatings in extreme thermal environments.

Synthesis of nano-diamond modified Ti3C2Tx MXene heterostructure for enhanced electromagnetic wave absorption

The highly efficient electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorption materials are considered a promising approach to combatting electromagnetic radiation pollution. We synthesized a novel heterostructure 2D Ti3C2Tx MXene composite film modified by 0D nano-diamond (ND) particles using simple mechanical stirring and a vacuum filtration method. Subsequently, we investigated its microstructure and EMW absorption properties. The ND modification not only regulated the impedance matching of the composite films but also enhanced the diversity of EMW losses, demonstrating excellent microwave absorption performance. With a 40 wt% ND content, the minimum reflection loss (RLmin) of the films reached −43.0 dB, corresponding to a film thickness of 2.5 mm. This study explored a novel and promising microwave absorption film, expanding the application of diamond in microwave absorption, and addressing the theoretical gap in diamond-enhanced MXene microwave absorption performance.

High-Yield Production of SiV-Doped Nanodiamonds for Spectroscopy and Sensing Applications.

Nanodiamonds (NDs) containing optically active centers have gained significant relevance as the material of choice for biological, optoelectronic, and quantum applications. However, current production methods lag behind their real needs. This study introduces two CVD-based approaches for fabricating NDs with optically active silicon-vacancy (SiV) color centers: bottom-up (BU) and top-down (TD) methods. The BU approach generates nanoporous diamond films with a core-shell structure, while the TD method employs molten-salt thermal etching to create uniform porous structures from nanocrystalline diamond films. Comprehensive characterization using advanced techniques revealed distinct morphologies and optical properties for each approach. The BU method yielded higher-quality diamond phases with top-surface incorporation of SiV centers, while the TD method demonstrated efficient nondiamond phase removal. Ultrasonic disintegration of both porous films produced NDs ranging from 40 to 500 nm, with unique morphologies characteristic of each approach. Photoluminescence measurements confirmed SiV centers (738 nm) in all NDs, exhibiting sensitivity to surface terminations, particularly in BU samples. Temperature-resolved spectroscopy shows the potential of the fabricated NDs for nano thermometry over a wide range of temperatures up to 100 °C. The zero-phonon line shows 0.022 ± 0.003 nm/K sensitivity, while the line width exhibits 0.068 ± 0.004 nm/K broadening. The presented BU and TD methods offer significant advantages over existing techniques, including streamlined production processes, high-yield ND synthesis with tailored properties, and the potential for scalable, cost-effective manufacturing.

Functionalized Nanodiamonds for Targeted Neuronal Electromagnetic Signal Detection.

Intracellular sensing technologies necessitate a delicate balance of spatial resolution, sensitivity, biocompatibility, and stability. While existing methods partially fulfill these criteria, none offer a comprehensive solution. Nanodiamonds (NDs) harboring nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers have emerged as promising candidates due to their sensing capabilities under biological conditions and their ability to meet all aforementioned requirements. This study focuses on expanding the application of NDs and NV center-based sensing to neuronal contexts by investigating their functionalization and subsequent effects on three distinct cell lines relevant to neurodegenerative disease research. Our study concentrates on positioning fluorescent NDs (FNDs) with NV center point defects onto neuronal cell surfaces. Achieving this through specific antibody attachment enhances the proximity of FND to neurites, facilitating the detection of local action potentials. Targeting voltage-dependent calcium channels (Cav2.2) with biotin-streptavidin-bound antibodies enables the precise positioning of FNDs. The functionalized FNDs (f-FNDs) show increased size and zeta potential, confirming the antibody presence without compromising cell viability. Two-color confocal imaging and co-localization algorithms are employed to further attest to the success of the functionalization. The f-FNDs are applied to cell cultures of three cell lines: SH-SY5Y, differentiated dopaminergic neurons, and hippocampal rat neurons; their biocompatibility and effects on synaptic activity are explored. Moreover, preliminary total internal reflection fluorescence - optically detected magnetic resonance (TIRF-ODMR) experiments across cellular sites demonstrate the magnetic field sensitivity of our sensor network. The successful establishment of this sensor network provides a platform for characterizing neuronal signaling in healthy models and conditions mimicking Parkinson's disease.

Antimetastatic effect of nanodiamond-conjugated quercetin against colon cancer: an in vivo study.

Quercetin (Q) is a compound that can inhibit the growth of cancer cells in the colon; however, to do so, a high dose is needed, requiring a drug delivery system to target cancer endothelial cells directly. This study investigates the potency of nanodiamond-conjugated quercetin (NDQ) as an anticancer drug against colon cancer in Rattus norvegicus induced by N-methyl N-Nitrosourea (MNU). This study is experimental-based and was designed using a six-group treatment method, namely normal control (KN: not treated by MNU, nanodiamond (ND), or Q); negative control (K-: treated by MNU); positive control (K+: treated by MNU and capecitabine); ND (treated by MNU and NDs); Q (treated by MNU and Q); and NDQ (treated by MNU and NDQ). To induce colon cancer in rats, MNU (10 mg/Kg BW) was administrated intrarectally three times per week for four weeks. The treatment of Q (40 mg/Kg BW) or NDQ (40 mg/Kg BW) was given intraperitoneally twice a week for 6 weeks. Cancer progression of all cohorts was evaluated by performing body and colon weight measurements, which involved the following: ELISA assay-specific to metastatic marker matrix metalloprotein-9 (MMP-9), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), hypoxia-inducible factor 1 α (HIF1α), vascular endothelial growth factor, protein 53 (p53) and immunohistochemistry staining of Caspase-3 and Ki-67 proteins. Observation of cancer metastasis to the lung was also performed. NDQ significantly inhibited cancer aggressiveness by causing an increment in body weight gain and the growth rate-while reducing the colon weight compared to the K- group. Moreover, decreased levels of MMP-9, CEA, HIF-1α, and Ki67 and increased levels of p53 and Caspase-3 were more significant in the NDQ group than in the Q group. The lung tumor metastases in the NDQ group were fewer than in the K- group. NDQ increased Q's anticancer activity, suggesting that NDs have an effective drug delivery property.

Pyrene-based luminescent “turn-off” chemosensor on a detonation nanodiamond platform for sensing in aqueous environments

Due to the widespread pollution caused by heavy metals, there is a pressing need for effective monitoring tools to track their distribution and origin in different environments such as wastewater. Chemosensors have emerged as a powerful tool to detect heavy metals in various settings. However, most chemosensors have limited effectiveness and are only functional under specific conditions, such as ultrapure and oxygen free solvents. To overcome this challenge, we introduce here a technique that involves immobilizing water-insoluble chemosensors on detonation diamond nanoparticles, using a pyrene-based on-off system as a model. This method not only improves the sensor's stability but also maintains its efficiency and specificity across diverse media, including unfiltered tap water, organic solvents, and even a pure oxygen atmosphere. Our approach represents a promising solution for developing robust and adaptable nanodiamond-based chemosensor-carrier systems that can detect, e.g. heavy metals in a wide range of environments.

Electrostatic self‐assembly of barnacle‐like modified BN@ND hetero‐structured fillers to synergistic enhanced thermal conductivity of PI composite films

AbstractHigh‐integration microelectronic equipment cannot dissipate heat for long periods of time, which enormously damages the efficiency and service life of electronic devices. Developing polymer‐based composite film exhibiting admirable thermal conductivity (TC), mechanical, dielectric and insulation performances has been pursued by researchers. Polyimide (PI) materials are generally used in progressive electronic systems. In this research, we constructed unique thermally conductive fillers to improve the TC of PI composites. Specifically, boron nitride nanosheets (BNNS) and nanodiamond (ND) were modified to impart them different charging properties. The barnacle‐like hetero‐structured fillers (MBN@FND) were assembled by electrostatic self‐assembly, and then introduced into PI to prepare PI composites. MBN@FND‐2 (MBN/FND, 1/1, wt/wt) fillers exhibited optimal morphology. The results showed that MBN@FND formed tightly stacked structure in composites, availing the densification of the thermal network and improving the heat transfer efficiency. Under 25 wt% MBN@FND loading, the in‐plane TC of MBN@FND/PI composite was 9.73 W/mK, and the through‐plane TC was 0.72 W/mK. The MBN@FND/PI composite remained at a low level in terms of dielectric properties. Moreover, MBN@FND/PI composites had flexibility, good tensile strength (47.9 MPa), and volume resistivity of 1.05 × 1013 Ω cm. This work provides a versatile approach for the preparation of hybrid materials.Highlights Hetero‐structured fillers were prepared by electrostatic self‐assembly. The in‐plane TC and through‐plane TC of PI composite was improved. The composites had insulation, flexibility, and low dielectric properties.

Controllable preparation of bare nano-diamonds through femtosecond laser ablation in liquid

The preparation and modulation of bare nano-diamonds (NDs) are of great significant for further investigation into their intrinsic structures, exploring more underlying properties, unlocking latent performances and exploiting more extensive applications. In this study, bare NDs have been successfully synthesized and modulated through 343nm femtosecond laser ablation in liquids (LAL). When laser scanning point interval (LSPI) was reduced from 4 μm to 0.5 μm, the average size of NDs decreased from 4.1nm to 3nm. While it remained around 3.2nm for NDs obtained at different energies. Notable, sp3-C within NDs accounted for above 71% at laser energy of diamond damage threshold (118mW), and then transformed into sp2-C as laser energy increased. NDs prepared in water and ethanol differed in terms of their size distribution, intrinsic structure, and surface state. NDs@ethanol sized 3.8nm exhibited higher sp3/sp2 ratio and more complex surface states than NDs@water sized 3.3nm. These findings not only can provide valuable guidance for precise regulation of NDs preparation, but also can offer diverse structural NDs for exploring their potential applications.

A facile method for patterned assembly of nanoparticles using SAM-guided solvent dewetting

The directed assembly of functional nanoparticles (NPs) into desired geometries is crucial for various NP-based devices and applications. Over the past two decades, numerous bottom-up and top-down approaches have been reported for achieving this goal. In this study, we employed a bottom-up approach using a capillary-driven self-assembled monolayer (SAM)-defined template-assisted self-assembly of silver nanocubes (SNCs) and nanodiamonds (NDs). First, different SAM patterns were created on a gold-coated Si substrate using microcontact printing. Upon immersion of the SAM-patterned substrates in the NP solution, the SAM patterns guide the solvent to specific regions during drying. The directed solvent carries the NPs (SNCs and NDs) into these regions during drying owing to their lower energy state in the solvent compared with the SAM regions. Subsequently, the solvent deposits the NPs in these regions because of their interactions with the substrate. Micron-sized lines and rectangular patterns are explored to observe successful NP assembly. The density of the assembled SNCs depends on their concentration in the solvent, with higher concentrations resulting in densely packed assemblies. This effect is not observed for the NDs because of the differing regular and irregular shapes of the SNCs and NDs. This process can be extended to other NPs with suitable solvents and SAMs.

In situ photoemission spectroscopies to reveal surface transfer doping on hydrogenated milled nanodiamonds

Nanodiamonds (ND) exhibit exceptional chemical, electronic, thermal, and optical properties, making them valuable for applications in nanomedicine, energy, quantum technologies, advanced lubricants, and polymer composites. Surface analysis techniques such as X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS), ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy (UPS) and reflection electron energy loss spectroscopy (REELS) are critical for understanding the surface properties of nanomaterials, including nanodiamonds. This study investigates hydrogenated milled nanodiamonds (H-MND) by integrating UPS and XPS measurements with REELS. Through in situ annealing within an ultra-high vacuum (UHV) chamber, we examine the impact of surface termination on surface conductivity, focusing on the role of adsorbates. Our findings reveal that a surface transfer doping mechanism, akin to that observed in bulk diamond, governs a pseudo p-type conductivity in H-MND. The conductivity dependence on ambient exposure, water, and subsequent annealing demonstrates its reversibility. The study also discusses the nature of electron acceptors and the influence of ND facets on conductivity.

Two-step method for predicting Young's modulus of nanocomposites containing nanodiamond particles

In this study, a sophisticated two-step methodology is proposed that incorporates the Kolarik and Hashin–Hansen models to precisely evaluate the effects of the interphase on the Young's modulus of nanodiamond (ND)-filled composites. Initially, the ND particles and their surrounding interphase were modeled as a core-shell structure, and the modulus of this structure was calculated. Subsequently, the core-shell particles were considered as a dispersed phase within a polymer matrix, leading to determination of the Young's modulus of the nanocomposite. The results obtained using the proposed method agreed well the experimental data of various nanocomposite samples. Furthermore, a robust correlation was indicated between the interphase properties and nanocomposite modulus. Notably, an interphase characterized by a thickness of 10 nm, modulus of 50 GPa, and a filler volume fraction of 0.02 increased the nanocomposite modulus to more than 3 GPa, assuming a matrix modulus of 1 GPa. Additionally, the findings revealed that ND particles with radii smaller than 4 nm had a remarkable influence on the nanocomposite modulus, whereas a high ND modulus had a minimal effect.

Operando Decoding Ion-Conductive Switch in Stimuli-Responsive Hydrogel by Nanodiamond-Based Quantum Sensing.

Thermal-responsive hydrogels are developed as ion-conductive switchs for energy storage devices, however, the molecule mechanism of switch on/off remains unclear. Here, poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylamide) hydrogel is synthesized as a model material and nanodiamond (ND) based quantum sensing for phase change study is developed. First, micro-scale phase separation with cross-linked mesh structure after sol-gel transition is visualized in situ and water molecules are trapped by polymer chains and on a chemically "frozen" state. Then, the nano-scale inhomogeneous distributions of viscosity, thermal conductivity and ionic mobility in hydrogel at high temperature are observed by measuring the rotation, translation and zero-field splitting of NDs. Besides, the ionic mobility of hydrogel is found to be dependent not only on temperature but also on polymer concentration. These observations suggested that the physical "wall" induced by inhomogeneous phase separation at microscopic scale blocked the ion conduction pathways, providing a potential intrinsic explanation for ion migration shut-down of ionic hydrogels at high temperature.

The influence of the sizes of nanodiamond aggregates in their suspensions on the efficiency of sorption of <sup>90</sup>Y and <sup>177</sup>Lu isotopes for their subsequent use in nuclear medicine

Nanodiamonds (NDs) are promising carriers of radionuclides in radiopharmaceuticals for use in nuclear medicine. In this work, we investigated the influence of the properties of ND suspensions, including the sizes of their aggregates, in aqueous solutions with different pH on their binding of medical isotopes 90Y and 177Lu and found the conditions for obtaining promising conjugates for further in vivo studies. It was shown that sorption is influenced by the composition of the solution, which determines the properties of the ND surface, while the forms of cations of the studied nuclides in the solution do not affect the degree of sorption.

Thermally Conductive Polydimethylsiloxane-Based Composite with a Three-Dimensional Vertically Aligned Thermal Network Incorporating Hexagonal Boron Nitride Nanosheets and Nanodiamonds.

Thermal interface materials play a pivotal role in efficiently transferring heat from heating devices to thermal management components, thereby reducing the risk of component degradation due to overheating. In this study, we propose a strategy for enhancing the out-of-plane thermal conductivity (TC) of composite materials by fabricating a three-dimensional (3D) thermal network within a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) matrix. Specifically, the composite material was designed to incorporate a dense thermal network comprising hexagonal boron nitride nanosheets (BNNSs) and nanodiamonds (NDs). The fabrication process commenced with the preparation of BNNSs through liquid-phase exfoliation, followed by the creation of a 3D BNNSs-NDs/polyimide aerogel thermal framework using a unidirectional solidification ice templating method and subsequent heat treatment. Vacuum impregnation and curing were then employed to finalize the production of the 3D BNNSs-NDs/PDMS composite material. Characterization analyses indicated that the addition of NDs filled the voids between BNNSs, leading to the densification of the thermal framework pore walls and the establishment of additional thermal pathways. Impressively, with concentrations of BNNSs and NDs of 17.99 and 7.71 wt %, respectively, the out-of-plane TC of the 3D BNNSs-NDs/PDMS composite material reached 1.623 W m-1 K-1, marking notable enhancements of 754.21% and 256.70% compared to those of pure PDMS and composites prepared via direct blending with randomly distributed BNNSs and NDs, respectively. Furthermore, the 3D BNNSs-NDs thermal framework improved the compressive strength and the dimensional stability of the composite material. Finite element simulations additionally confirmed the synergistic improvement of the TC achieved through the combination of BNNSs and NDs, demonstrating that the 3D BNNSs-NDs/PDMS composite material displayed superior heat conduction and a greater density of thermal pathways compared to those of its counterparts, including 3D BNNSs/PDMS and 3D NDs/PDMS composite materials. In summary, this work presents a strategy for enhancing the out-of-plane TC of polymer-based composite materials by incorporating vertically aligned thermal networks.

Nanocarbon-Polymer Composites for Next-Generation Breast Implant Materials.

Most breast implants currently used in both reconstructive and cosmetic surgery have a silicone outer shell, which, despite much progress, remains susceptible to mechanical failure, infection, and foreign body response. This study shows that the durability and biocompatibility of breast implant-grade silicone can be enhanced by incorporating carbon nanomaterials of sp2 and sp3 hybridization into the polymer matrix and onto its surface. Plasma treatment of the implant surface can be used to modify platelet adhesion and activation to prevent thrombosis, postoperative infection, and inflammation disorders. The addition of 0.8% graphene flakes resulted in an increase in mechanical strength by 64% and rupture strength by around 77% when compared to pure silicone, whereas when nanodiamond (ND) was used as the additive, the mechanical strength was increased by 19.4% and rupture strength by 37.5%. Composites with a partially embedded surface layer of either graphene or ND showed superior antimicrobial activity and biocompatibility compared to pure silicone. All composite materials were able to sustain the attachment and growth of human dermal fibroblast, with the preferred growth noted on ND-coated surfaces when compared to graphene-coated surfaces. Exposure of these materials to hydrogen plasma for 5, 10, and 20 s led to substantially reduced platelet attachment on the surfaces. Hydrogen-treated pure silicone showed a decrease in platelet attachment for samples treated for 5-20 s, whereas silicone composite showed an almost threefold decrease in platelet attachment for the same plasma treatment times. The absence of platelet activation on the surface of composite materials suggests a significant improvement in hemocompatibility of the material.

Nanodiamond-Assisted High-Performance Sodium-Ion Batteries with Weakly Solvated Ether Electrolyte at -40°C.

Realizing high performances of sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) working at low temperatures is a pressing need for the commercial applications of SIBs. In this work, nanodiamonds (NDs) are introduced in diglyme electrolytes (ND-Diglyme) to significantly improve the low-temperature performances of SIBs. The corresponding SIB achieves an initial reversible specific capacity of 324mA h g-1 at -40°C (slightly decreased from 357mA h g-1 at 25°C) and shows a capacity retention ratio of ≈82% after 100 cycles at 0.1 A g-1. Moreover, it shows a capacity as high as 40mA h g-1 at 1 A g-1, nearly five times the date of the pure Diglyme electrolyte. Experimentally reveals that introducing NDs is helpful in inhibiting dendrite growth and improving the cyclic stability of anode at LT, because the ND with strong adsorption to sodium ions can not only assist in forming an effective solid electrolyte interface rich with NaF and Na2CO3 but also effectively reduce the activation energy (decreased from 426.68 to 370.51 meV) during the charge transfer processes. Hence, the proposed ND-assisted weakly ether electrolyte in this study presents a viable electrolyte additive solution to fulfill the rising low-temperature demands of SIBs.