Efficient surface functionalization of detonation nanodiamond using ozone under ambient conditions

Oxidative treatment is an important method for the purification and functionalization of carbon nanomaterials. Here we report on the treatment of detonation diamond particles with ozone at low temperatures. The homogeneous reaction in colloidal dispersion opens up a novel path for the efficient and homogeneous functionalization of the surface of nanodiamond with ozonides. As these are stable under the chosen ozonolysis conditions, they can be transformed to a number of different surface groups in subsequent oxidative or reductive workup steps. This versatile method for the preparation of oxygen-terminated diamond nanoparticles provides excellent control over the composition of the surface moieties in a waste-free and easy to set up way.