Diamonds have always been known for their high hardness and high biocompatibility. At the nanoscale, their applications are pushed to the frontiers of quantum sensing, drug delivery systems (DDS), and high-end materials. However, the manufacturing of nanodiamonds has always been limited by extreme conditions—often requiring environments exceeding 1,000°C and tens of thousands of atmospheres. This is not only energy-intensive but also makes it difficult to control precise size and morphology.
The latest research published by the University of Tokyo has successfully broken through this bottleneck. They used electron beams to irradiate special carbon materials, creating nanoscale synthetic diamonds directly in seconds at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, opening up brand new possibilities for quantum technology and biomedical materials.
Table of Contents
Starting from Adamantane: A “Bottom-Up” Path to Building Diamonds with Organic Molecules
Traditional diamond synthesis methods rely on reshaping the bonds of carbon sources like graphite in extreme environments, rearranging carbon atoms into a diamond structure. However, at the nanoscale, this method is not only difficult to control in terms of size but also prone to forming structural defects. The University of Tokyo research team chose a completely different strategy—using the organic molecule “Adamantane,” whose structure is already similar to the diamond framework. This cage-like hydrocarbon composed of ten carbon atoms is essentially a part of the diamond structure.
Researchers crystallized adamantane in a vacuum environment and then irradiated it with a high-energy electron beam to selectively break the carbon-hydrogen bonds, leaving behind free radicals capable of rebonding. These radicals connect and oligomerize, gradually building a diamond framework with a stable and consistent lattice. The final result is perfectly spherical nanodiamonds with a controlled particle size between 2–8 nanometers.
Electron Beam Synthesis: The Key Technology Generating Nanodiamonds in Seconds
The most amazing part of this research is that the synthesis conditions are far milder than traditional methods. Using electron beam energy of 80–200 keV, the research team successfully converted the adamantane structure into nanodiamonds in a low-pressure environment of only 10⁻⁵ Pa, at temperatures ranging from -173°C to room temperature.
In situ observation shows that adamantane molecules are first ionized, then evolve from single molecules into dimers and pentamers, finally accumulating to form spherical nanodiamonds with a cubic lattice. Reaction rate analysis also revealed that the breaking of C–H bonds is the most critical rate-determining step in the entire conversion process. More importantly, the surface of the generated nanodiamonds is naturally terminated by hydrogen atoms, giving it high stability with almost no common nanoscale defects.
By adjusting the electron beam irradiation dose and time, the research team can precisely control the size of the nanodiamonds, and even further fuse single crystals to generate larger spherical diamonds composed of polycrystals.
High Application Value: New Opportunities for Quantum Tech, DDS, and Material Science
The most well-known value of nanodiamonds lies in their quantum properties. Defect centers in nanodiamonds, such as the NV center, are the core of many quantum sensors, capable of monitoring magnetic fields, electric fields, or minute temperature changes with extremely high sensitivity. The new electron beam synthesis method can significantly improve the size uniformity of nanodiamonds, which will bring improvements to the stability and sensing performance of quantum devices.
In the field of life sciences, nanodiamonds possess good biocompatibility and surface modifiability, making them very suitable for drug delivery systems (DDS). The ability to manufacture nanodiamonds in large quantities, with low energy consumption and controlled sizes, will also make the development of nanomedical materials more feasible.
In addition, in the fields of material engineering, optical devices, and surface modification, such low-defect, high-stability nanodiamonds may also replace some higher-cost diamond film technologies.
Cosmic Ray Clues: Unlocking the Mystery of Meteorite Nanodiamond Origins
Interestingly, the electron beam energy used in the study is quite close to the high-energy electrons in cosmic rays, and nanodiamonds have been found in carbonaceous chondrites from outer space. This result provides a brand new explanation for a long-standing astrochemistry mystery—nanodiamonds may be naturally generated from adamantane-like carbon materials under the action of cosmic rays.
Conclusion
The University of Tokyo’s breakthrough not only provides a novel pathway for diamond synthesis but also rewrites the long-held notion that nanodiamonds can only be generated in harsh environments. From room temperature and low pressure to highly controlled size modulation, the electron beam synthesis method demonstrates a new direction for nanomaterial research and brings new opportunities for quantum technology, biomedical engineering, and materials science.
In the future, if the research team can further develop mass preparation methods, nanodiamonds may walk out of the laboratory and become the foundational material for the next generation of advanced technology.
References:
- Electron beam irradiation of carbon materials, University of Tokyo realizes spherical nanodiamond synthesis
- Synthesis of Spherical Nanodiamonds Under Low Temperature and Low Pressure
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