arXiv · 1104.5075
Size-reduction of nanodiamonds via air oxidation
Abstract
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 10.6 nm/h at 600 °C 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 formation of colour centres in small crystals. In these unirradiated samples, the smallest nanodiamond still hosting a stable nitrogen-vacancy centre observed was 8 nm.
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T. Gaebel, C. Bradac, J. Chen, P. Hemmer, J. R. Rabeau. 2011-04-27. Size-reduction of nanodiamonds via air oxidation. https://arxiv.org/abs/1104.5075
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