Diamond nanoparticles (nanodiamonds) behave outstanding chemical, electronic, thermal and optical properties inherited from bulk diamond. Nanodiamonds can host color centers like NV or SiV that bring photoluminescence and spin properties. This explains the active research on fluorescent nanodiamonds for nanomedecine or quantum nanosensors. They also emerge as a candidate for photocatalysis where highly reductive abilities are required. For most applications, a fine control of their core composition and surface chemistry is essential to adjust the requested properties. As an example, the specific electronic properties linked to the hydrogenated diamond surface like the negative electron affinity and the p-type conductivity are preserved at the nanoscale.
Today, these fields of application mainly use nanodiamonds obtained by detonation synthesis or by milling of bulk diamond. These two materials exhibit clear differences in term of properties. Indeed, both sources differ by their crystalline quality, their impurities content, their specific surface area and their size distribution. To control their surface chemistry, these nanodiamonds can be exposed to thermal treatments performed in different atmospheres (air, hydrogen, argon, vacuum). The surface chemistry can be oxidized with numerous carboxylic groups or reduced either with carbon/hydrogen bonds or sp2 carbon reconstructions.
In this context, the nanodiamond group at LEDNA behaves long-term expertise in growth and surface modifications of nanodiamonds by gas phase treatments using homemade set-ups. The group also has solid experience in the fine characterization of these nanodiamonds (FTIR, XPS, Raman, XRD, HR-TEM, Cryo-EM, DLS, ..), as well as in structuring them into aqueous colloids or thin films.
Other advanced spectroscopic characterizations are also performed in collaboration: XAS of the carbon edge (HZB, BESSY synchrotron), XPS of the extreme surface chemistry (PLEIADES, SOLEIL synchrotron), HREELS (TECHNION), UPS (ILV).
NIMBE Research Axis
Three main research topics are currently investigated:
Understand the intrinsic properties of nanodiamonds
The role of defects and chemical impurities, colloidal properties, behavior under irradiation, emission of solvated electrons, interactions with radicals,…
Explore the photo-electro-catalytic performances of nanodiamonds
For H2 production or CO2 reduction : Band gap engineering, heterojunction formation, material structuration
Growth of tailored (nano)diamonds
A bottom-up approach is under progress at LEDNA to grow (nano)diamonds with controlled size, shape and doping.
Latest publications
- Henni K, Njel C, Frégnaux M, et al (2024) Core-shells particles grown in a tubular reactor: Influence of the seeds nature and MPCVD conditions on boron-doped diamond crystalline quality. Diam Relat Mater 142:110770.
- Marchal C, Saoudi L, Girard HA, et al (2024) Oxidized Detonation Nanodiamonds Act as an Efficient Metal‐Free Photocatalyst to Produce Hydrogen Under Solar Irradiation. Adv Energy Sustain Res 5:1–8.
- Kuschnerus IC, Wen H, Zeng X, et al (2023) Fabrication process independent and robust aggregation of detonation nanodiamonds in aqueous media. Diam Relat Mater 139:110199.
- Ducrozet F, Brun E, Girard HA, et al (2023) Milled Nanodiamonds Overproduce Solvated Electrons while Scavenging Hydroxyl Radicals under Gamma Irradiation. J Phys Chem C 127:19544–19553.
- Saoudi L, Girard HA, Larquet E, et al (2023) Colloidal stability over months of highly crystalline high-pressure high-temperature hydrogenated nanodiamonds in water. Carbon 202:438–449.
- Ducrozet F, Girard HA, Jianu T, et al (2023) Unintentional formation of nitrate and nitrite ions during nanodiamonds sonication: A source of radical and electron scavengers. Colloids Surfaces A 663:131087.
- Henry K, Emo M, Diliberto S, et al (2023) Facile characterization of metallic impurities in detonation nanodiamonds through selective combustion using standard techniques. Diam Relat Mater 140:110466.
- Buchner F, Kirschbaum T, Venerosy A, et al (2022) Early dynamics of the emission of solvated electrons from nanodiamonds in water. Nanoscale 14:17188–17195.
- Ducrozet F, Girard HA, Leroy J, et al (2021) New Insights into the Reactivity of Detonation Nanodiamonds during the First Stages of Graphitization. Nanomaterials 11:2671.
- Claveau S, Nehlig É, Garcia-Argote S, et al (2020) Delivery of siRNA to Ewing Sarcoma Tumor Xenografted on Mice, Using Hydrogenated Detonation Nanodiamonds: Treatment Efficacy and Tissue Distribution. Nanomaterials 10:553.
- Brun E, Girard HA, Arnault J, et al (2020) Hydrogen plasma treated nanodiamonds lead to an overproduction of hydroxyl radicals and solvated electrons in solution under ionizing radiation. Carbon 162:510–518.
- Thalassinos G, Stacey A, Dontschuk N, et al (2020) Fluorescence and Physico-Chemical Properties of Hydrogenated Detonation Nanodiamonds. C — J Carbon Res 6:7.