Counting vacancies and nitrogen-vacancy centers in detonation nanodiamond. Issue 20 (5th May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chang, Shery L. Y.; Barnard, Amanda S.; Dwyer, Christian; Boothroyd, Chris B.; Hocking, Rosalie K.; Ōsawa, Eiji; Nicholls, Rebecca J.
• Is Part Of: Nanoscale. Volume 8:Issue 20(2016)
• Page Start: 10548
• Page End: 10552
• Publication Date: 2016-05-05
• Subjects: Nanoscience -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; 620.505
• DOI: 10.1039/c6nr01888b
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2040-3364

Abstract

Abstract : Vacancies and Nitrogen-vacancy centers in detonation nanodiamond particles can be detected and quantified. Abstract : Detonation nanodiamond particles (DND) contain highly-stable nitrogen-vacancy (N-V) centers, making it important for quantum-optical and biotechnology applications. However, due to the small particle size, the N-V concentrations are believed to be intrinsically very low, spawning efforts to understand the formation of N-V centers and vacancies, and increase their concentration. Here we show that vacancies in DND can be detected and quantified using simulation-aided electron energy loss spectroscopy. Despite the small particle size, we find that vacancies exist at concentrations of about 1 at%. Based on this experimental finding, we use ab initio calculations to predict that about one fifth of vacancies in DND form N-V centers. The ability to directly detect and quantify vacancies in DND, and predict the corresponding N-V formation probability, has a significant impact to those emerging technologies where higher concentrations and better dispersion of N-V centres are critically required.