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Scientists have used a new technique to synthesize diamonds at normal, atmospheric pressure and without a starter gem, which could make the precious gemstones much easier to grow in the lab.
Natural diamonds form in Earth's mantle, the molten zone buried hundreds of miles beneath the planet's surface. The process takes place under tremendous pressures of several gigapascals and scorching temperatures exceeding 2,700 degrees Fahrenheit (1,500 degrees Celsius).
Similar conditions are employed in the method currently used to synthesize 99% of all artificially created diamonds. Called high-pressure and high-temperature (HPHT) growth, this method uses these extreme settings to coax carbon dissolved in liquid metals, like iron, to convert it to diamond around a small seed, or starter diamond.
However, the high pressures and temperatures are difficult to produce and maintain. Plus, the components involved affect the diamonds' size, with the largest being about a cubic centimeter, or about as big as a blueberry. Besides, HPHT takes a fairly long time — a week or two — to produce even these tiny gems. Another method, called chemical vapor deposition, eliminates some requirements of HPHT, like high pressures. But others persist, like the need for seeds.
The new technique eliminates some drawbacks of both synthesis processes. A team led by Rodney Ruoff, a physical chemist at the Institute for Basic Science in South Korea, published their findings April 24 in the journal Nature.
www.livescience.com
Natural diamonds form in Earth's mantle, the molten zone buried hundreds of miles beneath the planet's surface. The process takes place under tremendous pressures of several gigapascals and scorching temperatures exceeding 2,700 degrees Fahrenheit (1,500 degrees Celsius).
Similar conditions are employed in the method currently used to synthesize 99% of all artificially created diamonds. Called high-pressure and high-temperature (HPHT) growth, this method uses these extreme settings to coax carbon dissolved in liquid metals, like iron, to convert it to diamond around a small seed, or starter diamond.
However, the high pressures and temperatures are difficult to produce and maintain. Plus, the components involved affect the diamonds' size, with the largest being about a cubic centimeter, or about as big as a blueberry. Besides, HPHT takes a fairly long time — a week or two — to produce even these tiny gems. Another method, called chemical vapor deposition, eliminates some requirements of HPHT, like high pressures. But others persist, like the need for seeds.
The new technique eliminates some drawbacks of both synthesis processes. A team led by Rodney Ruoff, a physical chemist at the Institute for Basic Science in South Korea, published their findings April 24 in the journal Nature.
Scientists grow diamonds from scratch in 15 minutes thanks to groundbreaking new process
Scientists have used a new technique to synthesize diamonds at normal, atmospheric pressure and without a starter gem, which could make the precious gemstones easier to grow in the lab.
