Ion implantation in nanodiamonds: Size effect and energy dependence

Nanoparticles are ubiquitous in nature and are increasingly important for technology. They are subject to bombardment by ionizing radiation in a diverse range of environments. In particular, nanodiamonds represent a variety of nanoparticles of significant fundamental and applied interest. Here we present a combined experimental and computational study of the behaviour of nanodiamonds under irradiation by xenon ions. Unexpectedly, we observed a pronounced size effect on the radiation resistance of the nanodiamonds: particles larger than 8 nm behave similarly to macroscopic diamond (i.e. characterized by high radiation resistance) whereas smaller particles can be completely destroyed by a single impact from an ion in a defined energy range. This latter observation is explained by extreme heating of the nanodiamonds by the penetrating ion. The obtained results are not limited to nanodiamonds, making them of interest for several fields, putting constraints on processes for the controlled modification of nanodiamonds, on the survival of dust in astrophysical environments, and on the behaviour of actinides released from nuclear waste into the environment.Fil: Shiryaev, Andrey A.. Moscow State University; Rusia. Frumkin Institute of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry Ram; RusiaFil: Hinks, Jonathan A.. University of Huddersfeld; Reino UnidoFil: Marks, Nigel A.. Curtin University; AustraliaFil: Greaves, Graeme. University of Huddersfeld; Reino UnidoFil: Valencia, Felipe J.. Centro Para El Desarrollo de la Nanociencia y Nanotecnología; Chile. Universidad de Chile; Chile. Universidad Mayor; ChileFil: Donnelly, Stephen E.. University of Huddersfeld; Reino UnidoFil: González, Rafael I.. Universidad Mayor; Chile. Centro Para El Desarrollo de la Nanociencia y Nanotecnología; ChileFil: Kiwi, Miguel. Universidad de Chile; Chile. Centro Para El Desarrollo de la Nanociencia y Nanotecnología; ChileFil: Trigub, Alexander L.. Instituto Kurchátov; RusiaFil: Bringa, Eduardo Marcial. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Fogg, Jason L.. Curtin University; AustraliaFil: Vlasov, Igor I.. National Research Nuclear University; Rusi