I. Introduction
As a superhard material, native diamond micropowder has shown excellent performance and wide application potential in many industrial fields. This study aims to deeply explore the characteristics, preparation process, application status and future development trend of native diamond micropowder, and provide reference for technological innovation and material selection in related industries.
II. Characteristics of Native Diamond Micropowder
(I) Crystal structure and physical properties
Native diamond micropowder has a typical cubic crystal structure, and carbon atoms are closely linked by covalent bonds, giving it excellent physical properties such as extremely high hardness (Mohs hardness 10), high wear resistance, high thermal conductivity (thermal conductivity can reach more than 2000W/(m・K)) and good optical transmittance in a wide band. Its density is about 3.52g/cm³ and its refractive index is about 2.4. These characteristics make it stand out in various harsh environments and high-precision processing applications.
(II) Chemical stability
At room temperature and pressure, the chemical properties of native diamond micropowder are extremely stable and almost do not react with any common chemicals. Chemical reactions only occur under the conditions of high temperature, strong oxidants or certain special metal catalysts. This high degree of chemical inertness ensures its long-term stability and reliability in complex chemical environments and broadens its application areas.
III. Preparation process of primary diamond micropowder
(I) Traditional preparation method
Mechanical crushing method
Large diamond particles are crushed by equipment such as ball mills and air flow mills. This method is relatively simple to operate, but it is easy to introduce impurities, and it is difficult to accurately control the particle size distribution and crystal integrity of the micropowder. The quality of the prepared micropowder is relatively low, and it is often used in general industrial applications that do not require high quality of micropowder.
High temperature and high pressure synthesis and crushing method
First, large diamond particles are synthesized using the high temperature and high pressure method (HTHP), and then crushed to obtain micropowder. This method can guarantee the purity and quality of diamond to a certain extent, but the preparation process is relatively complicated and costly, and the crystal structure of the micropowder may still be damaged to a certain extent during the crushing process.
(II) Emerging preparation process
Detonation synthesis method
The high temperature and high pressure environment generated by the explosion of explosives is used to instantly convert carbon-containing substances into diamond micropowder. This method has the characteristics of fast synthesis speed and high yield, and can produce diamond micropowder with finer particle size. However, the diamond micropowder synthesized by detonation has many crystal defects and wide particle size distribution. Further post-processing process is needed to improve its quality. It is often used in fields that are sensitive to cost and have a certain tolerance for micropowder quality, such as some abrasive manufacturing.
Chemical vapor deposition (CVD)
Under low pressure, high temperature and activation sources such as plasma or hot wire, carbon-containing gas (such as methane, acetylene, etc.) is used as raw material to deposit and grow diamond micropowder on the substrate surface. The CVD method can accurately control the growth process of micropowder and prepare diamond micropowder with high purity, complete crystal structure and uniform particle size. It is especially suitable for the preparation of high-quality, nano-scale primary diamond micropowder, and has important application prospects in high-end fields such as electronics and optics. However, this method has expensive equipment, high preparation cost and relatively low production efficiency, which limits its large-scale industrial application.
IV. Application Status of Primary Diamond Powder
(I) Superhard Material Processing
In the field of superhard material products, primary diamond powder is the key raw material for manufacturing various diamond tools (such as grinding wheels, saw blades, drill bits, etc.). When used to process hard materials such as cemented carbide, ceramics, glass, stone, etc., it can significantly improve processing efficiency and reduce processing surface roughness. It is widely used in machinery manufacturing, building materials processing, jewelry processing and other industries. For example, in the process of sharpening precision ceramic tools, the grinding wheel prepared with primary diamond powder can accurately trim the cutting edge of the tool to ensure the sharpness and service life of the tool.
(II) Electronics and Semiconductor Industry
As electronic devices develop towards miniaturization and high performance, the application of primary diamond powder in the field of electronics and semiconductors is becoming increasingly important. Its high thermal conductivity can be used to manufacture heat sinks for semiconductor chips, effectively solving the heat dissipation problem of chips when running at high power, and improving the reliability and operating frequency of chips. In addition, diamond powder can also be used to prepare electronic packaging materials, microwave devices, etc., which is expected to promote the development of next-generation electronic technology. For example, in the power amplifier module of the 5G communication base station, the use of diamond micropowder-enhanced heat dissipation materials can significantly improve the heat dissipation efficiency of the module and ensure its stable operation.
(III) Optics and optoelectronics
Native diamond micropowder has unique application value in the fields of optics and optoelectronics. Due to its good optical transmittance and high hardness, it can be used to manufacture optical components such as optical windows, lenses, prisms, etc., especially in infrared optical systems, which can meet the use requirements in harsh environments such as high temperature, high pressure, and strong radiation. In laser technology, diamond micropowder can be used as a heat dissipation substrate for laser crystals or for manufacturing optical components of laser cutting heads to improve the performance and stability of laser equipment. For example, in military infrared detection systems, optical windows prepared with diamond micropowder can withstand harsh battlefield environments and ensure the normal operation of the detection system.
(IV) Biomedical Engineering
In the field of biomedicine, the biocompatibility and chemical stability of native diamond micropowder make it possible to manufacture surface coatings for medical devices, biosensors, etc. Diamond micropowder coatings can improve the wear resistance and corrosion resistance of medical devices (such as artificial joints, dental implants, etc.), reduce the generation of wear particles, and reduce the risk of inflammatory reactions. At the same time, biosensors based on diamond micropowder show good application prospects in biomolecule detection and cell imaging, and are expected to provide new technical means for biomedical research and clinical diagnosis.
V. Market prospects and challenges of primary diamond micropowder
(I) Market prospects
With the upgrading of global manufacturing and the rapid development of emerging technology fields (such as new energy, semiconductors, aerospace, etc.), the demand for primary diamond micropowder has shown a continuous growth trend. Especially in the field of high-end manufacturing, the demand for high-quality and high-performance diamond micropowder is particularly strong. It is expected that the market scale of primary diamond micropowder will continue to expand in the next few years, and its share in the superhard material market is expected to further increase. At the same time, with the continuous improvement of preparation technology and the gradual reduction of cost, the application field of diamond micropowder will continue to expand, from traditional industrial processing fields to more emerging fields, such as quantum computing, superconducting material preparation and other cutting-edge science and technology fields, providing new impetus for market growth.
(II) Challenges faced
Cost issues
Although the preparation process of primary diamond micropowder is constantly developing, its cost is still relatively high, especially for high-quality nano-scale diamond micropowder. This limits its popularity in some large-scale industrial applications that are more cost-sensitive, such as ordinary stone cutting in building material processing. Reducing preparation costs is one of the key factors in expanding the application scope of the primary diamond powder market. It is necessary to further develop new synthesis technologies and process optimization solutions to improve production efficiency and reduce raw material and energy consumption.
Quality control and standardization
The quality of primary diamond powder has a vital impact on its application performance. At present, the quality of diamond powder on the market is uneven, with problems such as uneven particle size distribution, more crystal defects, and high impurity content. Establishing a sound quality control system and standardization specifications, and strengthening the inspection and supervision of the production process and product quality of diamond powder are necessary measures to ensure the healthy development of the industry and improve product competitiveness. This requires joint efforts by enterprises, scientific research institutions and standardization organizations in the industry to formulate unified quality standards and testing methods to promote the standardized development of the diamond powder industry.
Environmental pressure
In the preparation process of primary diamond powder, especially some traditional preparation methods (such as high temperature and high pressure synthesis and mechanical pulverization), certain environmental pollution problems may occur, such as dust emissions and wastewater treatment. With the increasing global environmental awareness and increasingly stringent environmental regulations, diamond powder manufacturers are facing greater environmental pressure. Developing green and environmentally friendly preparation processes and strengthening waste recycling and pollution control are inevitable requirements for the sustainable development of the industry. For example, in the chemical vapor deposition method, how to optimize process parameters to reduce the emission of harmful gases and reduce energy consumption is one of the current research hotspots.
VI. Conclusion
As a superhard material with excellent performance, native diamond powder plays an important role in many industrial fields and shows broad market prospects. By continuously improving the preparation process, strengthening quality control and responding to environmental challenges, native diamond powder is expected to achieve wider applications in future high-end manufacturing, emerging technologies and other fields, and make greater contributions to promoting global scientific and technological progress and economic development. At the same time, enterprises and scientific research institutions in the industry should strengthen cooperation and innovation, jointly overcome the current technical and market difficulties, and promote the healthy and sustainable development of the native diamond powder industry.
