Nano-polycrystalline diamond formation under ultra-high pressure

Well-crystallized graphite and high energy ball-milled graphite were treated under 16GPa and temperatures up to 2500°C. Our experiments indicated that the ball-milled graphite can completely transform to nano-polycrystalline diamond (NPD) at 2100°C, while the well-crystallized graphite required 2500°C. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, optical microscope, scanning electron microscope, and Vickers indenter hardness test. We found that high pressure not only made the conversion of graphite to NPD thermodynamically preferred, but also reduced the needed activation energy barrier. By analyzing thermodynamics and kinetics of the transformation, we suggested a low boundary for NPD forming region based on the phase diagram of carbon, and the formation mechanisms of Nano-polycrystalline diamond. ► Under higher pressure NPD could form with lower temperature. ► Ball milling lowered the formation temperature of nano-polycrystalline diamond. ► Pressure–temperature region of nano-polycrystalline diamond formation was suggested. ► NPD formation mechanisms are different with graphite and milled graphite.