This is a scanning
electron microscopy image of microdiamonds made using the new technique.
(November 30, 2015) Researchers
from North Carolina State University have discovered a new phase of solid
carbon, called Q-carbon, which is distinct from the known phases of graphite
and diamond. They have also developed a technique for using Q-carbon to make
diamond-related structures at room temperature and at ambient atmospheric
pressure in air.
Phases are distinct forms of the same material. Graphite is
one of the solid phases of carbon; diamond is another.
“We’ve now created a third solid phase of carbon,” says Jay
Narayan, the John C. Fan Distinguished Chair Professor of Materials Science and
Engineering at NC State and lead author of three papers describing the work.
“The only place it may be found in the natural world would be possibly in the
core of some planets.”
Q-carbon has some unusual characteristics. For one thing, it
is ferromagnetic – which other solid forms of carbon are not.
“We didn’t even think that was possible,” Narayan says.
In addition, Q-carbon is harder than diamond, and glows when
exposed to even low levels of energy.
“Q-carbon’s strength and low work-function – its willingness
to release electrons – make it very promising for developing new electronic
display technologies,” Narayan says.