A comparative study on finding an effective root for the introduction of hydrogen into microplasma during diamond growth. (November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Iqbal, Saman; Rafique, Muhammad Shahid; Akhtar, Sultan; Liaqat, Nida; Iqbal, Nida; Ahmad, Rabia
• Is Part Of: Journal of physics and chemistry of solids. Volume 122(2018)
• Page Start: 72
• Page End: 86
• Publication Date: 2018-11
• Subjects: Nanodiamonds -- Microplasma -- Defect center; Solids -- Periodicals; Solides -- Périodiques; Solids; Periodicals; 530.41
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpcs.2018.06.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-3697

Abstract

Abstract: Nanodiamonds (NDs) have been synthesized by using microplasma facility. Ethanol is chosen as a Carbon precursor. A mixture of Ethanol and Argon has been dissociated in microplasma to fabricate NDs. In order to quench, etch and stabilize the NDs, Hydrogen has been used as a stabilizing agent. The motivation behind this project is to find an effective root for the introduction of Hydrogen into microplasma. The experiments are performed by introducing the Hydrogen either directly or indirectly into the microplasma. The results obtained from Raman, TEM and XRD confirmed that the highest quality (in terms of smallest size and near stress free) diamonds have been obtained in the case of indirect dilution. The decreased PL peak intensity with indirect dilution indicates the decreased defect density in the diamond. It is possible to produce and control the defect center only by controlling the Hydrogen introduction way in to the microplasma. The indirect dilution decreases the amount of Hydrogen bonded to trans-polyacetylene and enhances the Hydrogen termination to the surface of diamond grains. Highlights: Nanodiamonds were synthesized using microplasma technique. The addition of hydrogen either directly or indirectly enhanced the quenching, etching and stabilization of NDs. The highest quality and smallest size of NDs were obtained for indirect dilution. The availability of high amount of atomic hydrogen makes the indirect dilution more efficient as compared to direct dilution.