Growth of diamond nanocrystals by pulsed laser ablation of graphite in liquid

Nanocrystalline diamond has been successfully synthesized at room temperature and pressure using the novel technique of pulsed laser ablation (Nd:YAG, 532 nm) of a graphite target in water. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), and laser Raman spectroscopy have been used to characterise the nanocrystals and to confirm that they are diamond. Time-averaged optical emission spectroscopy showed the presence of H, C and O atoms in the ablation plume. Imaging of the light emitted from the plume showed that H atoms were formed in two regions, in the liquid above the graphite surface, and also in the air just above the water surface. The results are consistent with the idea that atomic H is a necessary requirement for the growth of diamond via this method.