Diamond Synthesis Breakthrough
South Korean researchers have developed a revolutionary process that can produce diamonds in a mere 150 minutes. This breakthrough, published in the journal Nature, offers significant advancements in synthetic diamond production.
Utilizing Liquid Metals and Reduced Pressure
The novel method leverages a mixture of liquid metals, including gallium, iron, nickel, and silicon. At a temperature of 1,025 degrees Celsius and under ambient pressure of 1 atm, the technique harnesses methane and hydrogen gases to facilitate diamond formation.
Bypassing Extreme Pressure
Traditional diamond synthesis methods require immense pressures of 5-6 gigapascals. The new approach, however, operates at significantly reduced pressure, thanks to the carefully calibrated liquid metal alloy.
Carbon Diffusion and Crystal Growth
Carbon atoms from methane diffuse into the molten metal, acting as "seeds" for diamond crystals to nucleate. Within 15 minutes, minute diamond crystals emerge from the metal's surface. Over the course of 150 minutes, a continuous diamond film forms.
Potential for Scaling Up
The team acknowledges the need for further refinements to enhance carbon diffusion. Nonetheless, they believe the method holds great promise for scalability, potentially transforming the diamond production industry.
Further Exploration
The researchers suggest that experimenting with different liquid metal combinations could yield even more efficient results. Ongoing research aims to optimize the process and explore its applicability in various fields.