Detonation nanodiamonds (DNDs) are among the most advanced materials that can be synthesized using the detonation method. Their rapid and cost-effective production, combined with exceptional properties, makes them promising for a wide range of applications. These include embedded optically active centers within their lattice and diverse surface modifications tailored for specific purposes. Furthermore, their exceptional toughness and durability allow them to perform under conditions where other materials fail.
However, the detonation synthesis process often results in DNDs with significant impurities, which limits their applicability in fields such as biomedicine. This lecture will focus on the types of common impurities found in DNDs and explore various purification techniques aimed at achieving highly purified nanodiamonds. While acid treatment is currently the most widely used method, it generates substantial waste byproducts. We will investigate whether alternative or modified purification approaches could offer more economical and environmentally friendly solutions without compromising, or even improving, the purity of DNDs compared to standard methods.
A combination of thermal and acid treatment has shown promise in this regard. To evaluate the efficiency of these methods, we will present various physical characterization techniques used to monitor DND purity during the purification process and compare these results with those of industrially purified samples.