Researches from the Institute of Physics CAS (Laboratory of Functional Nano interfaces and Laboratory of Carbon Nanostructures) developed a simple two-step approach how to control size and purity of HPHT nanodiamonds down to 1 nm from a commercially available product by means of air annealing and centrifugation. Characterization and visualization of such small nanodiamonds by Raman spectroscopy and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) provided important scientific data and enabled direct comparison of their properties with „standard“ 5 nm detonation nanodiamonds which are currently broadly investigated. The research also proved that fully crystalline nanodiamonds can be stable down to ~ 1 nm despite some theoretical predictions. This opens a range of possibilities for studying quantum phenomena in the diamond. The STEM analysis was performed in collaboration with the University of Vienna. The impact of the research was appreciated by an announcement in Material Research Society news in the U.S.A., including the opinion of an independent expert. For more details see the link.
