The MPECVD system (microwave plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition; 2,45 GHz Seki Astex 6400) is used for the growth of diamond thin layers. Also produced are diamond powders rich in various dopants (including nitrogen color centers). Diamonds with specific crystallographic structures (such as <100> or <111>) are also obtained with this system. The price is for one hour of operational and do…
The ultrasonic bath (Sonic-3, Polsonic) is used for homogenising suspensions of diamond particles which are not intended to be crushed using high-power ultrasound. The device is also useful in cleaning and disinfecting laboratory glassware. The digital vortex mixer (TX4, Velp Scientifica) enables to stir suspensions placed in test-tubes with a speed up to 3000 rpm, and is meant to redisperse particles that have precipitated…
The ball mill (Pulverisette 7 classic line, Fritsch) enables to crush diamonds into powders with a final fineness below 1 μm as a result of collision with grinding balls. Wet grinding in a suitably reactive solvent might allow for a simultaneous disaggregation and functionalization of the diamond particles. The mill is equipped with jars and grinding balls made of the hardest material…
The ultrasonic homogenizer (Sonopuls HD 4200, Bandelin) is used for disaggregation of the diamond particles with high-performance, 20kHz ultrasound. The process may be assisted with an abrasive (most commonly ceramic microbeads, e.g. zirconium dioxide), or the diamond particles may be allowed to be crushed only as a result of collisions between themselves. Depending on the choice of the solvent and additional, chemically…
The plasma cleaner (ZEPTO, diener) enables cleaning and termination of diamond surfaces. The 2.6 liter chamber allows for oxygen modification of the diamond surface. The generated plasma RF (13.56 MHz) changes the hydrophobicity of the diamonds and sterilizes them. The price is for one hour of operational and do not including materials.
The furnace with SiC rod heating (RHTC 80-450 with vacuum flanges, Nabertherm) is used for high-temperature annealing of the diamond particles. Thermal treatment of the nanodiamonds is an indispensable element of many processes of functionalization (e.g. oxidation, carboxylation). Moreover, it is a vital step in creation of color centers. High temperatures enable vacancies to change their positions in the diamond lattice and…
The particle analyser (Zetasizer Nano ZS, Malvern Panalytical) utilizes optical measurement techniques based on light scattering to measure a size distribution (in a range of 0.3 nm to 10 µm), and a zeta potential (in a range of -500 mV to 500 mV) of the diamond particles suspended in liquids. Both quantities are crucial in production, disaggregation, and functionalization of the nanodiamonds.…
