A possible mechanism of nanodiamond formation during detonation synthesis

Abstract

A new mechanism of formation of nanodiamond particles during detonation synthesis has been put forward. It includes the following steps: (a) decomposition of trinitrotoluene (TNT) molecules into basic radicals-a radical-like dimer C2 and CO3, decomposition of hexogen molecules into C2 and of benzotrifuroxane molecules into C2; (b) formation of cyclohexane from C2 or immediately of radical adamantane molecules; (c) interaction of diamond-like core (adamantane radical) with methyl and other monocarbon radicals; and (d) growth of detonation nanodiamond particles like in a CVD process. It is shown that the nucleation of a radical-like adamantine molecule occurs within a range between the center of the chemical peak zone and the Chapman-Jouguet plane, the growth of diamond particles takes place at the same time and comes to an end at an early stage of isoentropic (Taylor) expansion of detonation gases entrapping solid carbon particles.