Synthesis and characterization of nanocrystalline diamond from graphite flakes via a cavitation-promoted process

Herein, we describe the multi-step synthesis and characterization of monodisperse cubic-structured nanocrystalline diamond particles, showing that they can be easily prepared from graphite flakes under ambient conditions. The above synthesis features the conversion of graphite flakes into graphene oxide (via a modified Hummer's method) and its subsequent transformation into nanodiamond under the action of ultrasonication-induced cavitation, with the nucleation and growth of nanodiamond particles being strongly influenced by the incorporation of a specific metal oxide spacer material. Overall, the developed method is demonstrated to be superior to conventionally used ones, exhibiting the advantages of simplicity, high yield, and upscaling potential.