Earth-bound scientists successfully create exotic diamond, surpassing Nature's toughest diamonds in hardness
In a groundbreaking achievement, Chinese researchers have successfully synthesised a rare form of diamond, known as hexagonal diamond or lonsdaleite, typically found in meteorites. This breakthrough significantly advances the development of superhard materials and advanced electronic devices.
The team, led by renowned high-pressure science expert Ho-kwang Mao, transformed ultra-pure natural graphite single crystals under controlled high-temperature, high-pressure, and quasi-hydrostatic conditions. The process was carefully monitored by in-situ X-ray imaging to produce defect-free, high-purity micrometer-scale hexagonal diamond samples.
These hexagonal diamonds feature a more robust atomic arrangement than cubic diamonds, which have inherent weaknesses due to slippage along certain crystallographic planes. The hexagonal structure’s enhanced hardness and wear resistance could thus overcome such limitations.
The superhard nature of hexagonal diamonds makes them ideal for cutting, drilling, and wear-resistant coatings beyond the capabilities of traditional diamonds. Moreover, the novel crystal structure provides unique electronic and optical properties that can be exploited in high-performance semiconductor components and nanoscale devices. The purity and perfection of the synthesised crystals set a methodological foundation for engineering materials with customised electronic functionalities.
This synthesis resolves longstanding challenges in replicating this meteorite-derived diamond on Earth, offering a reliable method to study and harness its properties systematically. The study was published in Nature on a Wednesday.
The researchers' ability to create high-purity hexagonal diamond crystals experimentally opens a new pathway to develop next-generation superhard materials and advanced electronics with enhanced durability, performance, and novel functionalities unavailable from conventional diamond forms. The crystal structure of the synthesised hexagonal diamond is believed to be harder than conventional Earth diamonds.
This breakthrough is expected to redefine industrial applications requiring extreme durability, paving the way for the development of innovative technologies in various sectors.
- This experimental synthesis of hexagonal diamonds by Chinese researchers could revolutionize the field of space-and-astronomy as these superhard materials could be used in the development of advanced technology for space exploration and research.
- The technological implications of creating high-purity hexagonal diamond crystals extend beyond industrial applications, as their hardness and unique electronic properties could benefit the science of semiconductors, potentially leading to the creation of next-generation technology with unparalleled performance and functionality.
