Reactions of amines with CVD diamond nanopowders

Diamond powders have been synthesised by inducing gas phase nucleation within a multicathode direct current plasma. The surfaces of the spherical particles, with diameters in the range of 150-600 nm, were thermally oxidised at 550 °C under pure oxygen at one atmosphere pressure. Subsequently, the powders were successfully functionalised via reaction with a molecule, 4-(trifluoromethyl)benzylamine containing the reactive amine, -NH2, functional group. The F(1s) and N(1s) signals in the XPS spectra of the sample following reaction were evident after prolonged washing with methanol solvent indicating covalent binding to the surface of the particles.