Methods of functionalizing microscale diamond particles

A method of forming a suspension, comprising:

• graphitizing outer surfaces of a plurality of microscale diamond particles;
• functionalizing the plurality of microscale diamond particles after graphitizing the outer surfaces of the plurality of microscale diamond particles by covalently bonding one or more molecular groups selected from the group consisting of —OH functional groups, —COOH functional groups, —R—COOH functional groups, wherein R comprises alkyls, -Ph-COOH functional groups, wherein Ph comprises phenolics, polymers, oligomers, monomers, glycols, sugars, ionic functional groups, metallic functional groups, and organo-metallic functional groups to the outer surfaces of at least some particles of the plurality of microscale diamond particles;
• and
• dispersing the functionalized plurality of microscale diamond particles in a fluid or gel continuous phase material.

A method of forming an abrasive article, comprising:

• graphitizing outer surfaces of a plurality of microscale diamond particles;
• functionalizing the plurality of microscale diamond particles after graphitizing the outer surfaces of the plurality of microscale diamond particles by covalently bonding one or more molecular groups selected from the group consisting of —OH functional groups, —COOH functional groups, —R—COOH functional groups, wherein R comprises alkyls, -Ph-COOH functional groups, wherein Ph comprises phenolics, polymers, oligomers, monomers, glycols, sugars, ionic functional groups, metallic functional groups, and organo-metallic functional groups to the outer surfaces of at least some particles of the plurality of microscale diamond particles;
• and
• incorporating the functionalized plurality of microscale diamond particles into an abrasive article.