The effect of molecular structure of organic compound on the direct high‐pressure synthesis of boron‐doped nanodiamond

Abstract

Evolution of crystalline phases with temperature has been studied in materials produced by high‐pressure high‐temperature treatment of 9‐borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane dimer (9BBN), triphenylborane and trimesitylborane. The boron‐doped diamond nanoparticles with a size below 10 nm were obtained at 8–9 GPa and temperatures 970–1250 °C from 9BBN only. Bridged structure and the presence of boron atom in the carbon cycle of 9BBN were revealed to be a key point for the direct synthesis of doped diamond nanocrystals. The diffusional transformation of the disordered carbon phase is suggested to be the main mechanism of the nanodiamond formation from 9BBN in the temperature range of 970–1400 °C. Aqueous suspensions of primary boron‐doped diamond nanocrystals were prepared upon removal of non‐diamond phases that opens wide opportunities for application of this new nanomaterial in electronics and biotechnologies.