Ultra-hard synthetic diamond made at room temperature

Researchers relied only on high pressure and not high temperatures to make a synthetic diamond.

The team behind this achievement is made up of researchers from the Australian National University (ANU) and RMIT University. The results were published in the research publication Small earlier this month.

According to the ANU editorial staff who profiled the achievement, two types of diamonds were made: the type found on an engagement ring and another type of diamond called Lonsdaleite, which is found in nature at the site. meteorite impacts such as Canyon Diablo in the United States. .

ANU’s Professor Jodie Bradby said a special technique was used to form diamonds at room temperature.

“The twist of the story is how we apply pressure. In addition to very high pressures, we also allow the carbon to undergo something called ‘shear’ – which is like a twisting or sliding force. that it allows the carbon atoms to fall into place and form Lonsdaleite and regular diamond, ”Professor Bradby said.

Lonsdaleite has special properties and is expected to be 58% harder than regular diamonds.

“Lonsdaleite has the potential to be used to cut ultra-strong materials at mine sites,” said Professor Bradby.

“Creating more of this rare but super useful diamond is the long term goal of this work.”

Diamonds have potential industrial applications, such as drilling.

Xingshuo Huang, an ANU doctoral student working in Professor Bradby’s lab, touted the achievement.

“Being able to make two types of diamonds at room temperature was exciting to do for the first time in our lab,” said Huang.