Toward a golden standard in single digit detonation nanodiamond

In order for the true potential of single digit detonation nanodiamond (SDND) to be realized, successful applications in industrial and commercial settings will need to be found outside of the research community. However, one of the current limitations of the material is the lack of defined standards and means of characterization. Much of the work in the research community has been dedicated toward understanding how the fundamental features of NDs can be modified and controlled; however, there have been no sustained efforts at standardizing these often diverse materials supplied from a number of different vendors. Establishing standardization will only become more important as the need to pass industrial or governmental regulations arises as new and diverse applications of SDNDs are identified. The implementation of standard protocols will help provide a consistent material that exhibits high monodispersity, high purity, extended colloidal stability, and a homogenous surface chemistry in a wide variety of applications, and would thus be a significant step forward for both the community and the material. (C) 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim