Synthesis and characterization of diamond nanowires from carbon nanotubes

Chain-like diamond nanowires have been prepared by hydrogen plasma post-treatment of mutiwalled carbon nanotubes. Diamond nanoparticles embedded in an amorphous matrix are formed on the original carbon nanotube framework. Ultrahigh equivalent diamond nucleation density above 10(11) nuclei/cm2 can be easily obtained. More importantly, many tiny single-crystal diamond nanowires with diameters of 4-8 nm and with lengths up to 200 nm grow from the diamond nano-particles of chain-like diamond nanowires by prolonging the treatment time of hydrogen plasma. The possible mechanism of nucleation and growth of diamond nanowires are discussed.