Size-reduction of nanodiamonds via air oxidation

作者：Gaebel T^*; Bradac C; Chen J; Say J M; Brown L; Hemmer P; Rabeau J R

来源：Diamond and Related Materials, 2012, 21: 28-32.

DOI：10.1016/j.diamond.2011.09.002

• Nanodiamonds
• Oxidation
• Optical properties characterization
• NV defects

Here we report the size reduction and effects on nitrogen-vacancy centres in nanodiamonds by air oxidation using a combined atomic force and confocal microscope. The average height reduction of individual crystals, as measured by atomic force microscopy, was 10 +/- 1 nm/h at 600 degrees C, 4 1 nm/h at 550 degrees C, and less than 1 nm/h at 500 degrees C from air oxidation at atmospheric pressure. The oxidation process modified the surface including removal of non-diamond carbon and organic material which also led to a decrease in background fluorescence. During the course of the nanodiamond size reduction, we observed the annihilation of nitrogen-vacancy centres which provided important insight into the behaviour of colour centres in small crystals. In these unirradiated samples, the smallest nanodiamond still hosting a stable nitrogen-vacancy centre observed was 8 nm.

• 出版日期2012-1