Electrical properties of monodispersed detonation nanodiamonds

The electrical properties of monodispersed detonation nanodiamonds (DNDs) have been studied; a resistivity of the order of 10(12) Omega/sq has been determined, with only one significant conduction pathway being observed. The dielectric character of the DND particles is also good, with dielectric loss tangent values in the range 0.05-0.5 being recorded. These combined observations suggest DNDs behave in electrical terms similar to thin film diamond, and that electrical applications for DNDs are worthy of pursuit. Since a simple room temperature sonication process has been used for their deposition, coating a wide-range of three-dimensional substrate materials will be possible. A limitation on the electrical use the monodispersed DNDs, at least in the untreated, as-deposited from solution form used here, is the catastrophic loss of diamond-like character at temperatures above 400 degrees C. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3446966]