Nanodiamond with vacancy defect and quantum dot luminescence

Abstract

Luminescent diamond is made by subjecting a volume of diamond grains to high-pressure/high-temperature conditions with or without a catalyst or pressure transfer media to cause the grains to undergo plastic deformation to produce internal vacancy defects, increasing the luminescent activity/intensity of the resulting diamond material. The luminescent material is then subjected to further treatment to create quantum dots on the surface of the diamond particles. Quantum dot formation can include placing the diamond particles in liquid and subjecting the particles to laser pulses. The consolidated diamond material may be treated to further increase luminescent activity/intensity including reducing the consolidated diamond material to diamond particles, heat treatment in vacuum, and/or air heat treatment. The resulting luminescent diamond particles display a level of luminescence intensity greater than that of conventional luminescent nanodiamond, and may be functionalized for use in biological applications.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.