Synthesis of Nanodiamonds in a Germanium-Carbon Argon Arc

The results of the synthesis of nanocrystalline diamonds in a germanium-carbon argon arc are presented. Nanocrystals consist of 100% carbon and have different shapes, including the shape of hexagonal prisms. The sizes of nanocrystals are in the range from 50 nm to 20 μm. It is noteworthy that germanium atoms act as a catalyst for the synthesis of such nanocrystals, while germanium was not detected in the nanocrystals. It was found that germanium atoms act as a nucleus of the diamond structure and serve as catalysts for the formation and growth of crystals.