Abstract

In the present work, physicochemical treatments were introduced for de-aggregation and stable dispersion of detonation nanodiamonds (DND) in polar solvents. The DNDs in water exhibited a particle size of 138 nm and high dispersion stability without particular treatment. However, the DNDs in ethanol were severely aggregated to several micrometers in size and showed poor dispersion stability with time. To break down aggregates of DNDs and enhance the dispersion stability of them in ethanol, mechanical force and chemical surfactant were introduced as functions of zirconia ball size, kind of surfactant and amount of surfactant added. From the analyses of average particle size and Turbiscan results, it was suggested that the size of DNDs in ethanol can be reduced by only mechanical force; however, the DNDs were re-aggregated due to high surface activity. The long-term dispersion stability can be achieved by applying mechanical force to break down the aggregates of DNDs and by preventing re-aggregation of them using proper surfactant.

• Keywords: Detonation nanodiamond;Dispersion stability;Surfactant;Shaker;De-aggregation;