Nanodiamonds: Emerging face of future nanotechnology

Abstract

Remarkable advancements in nanostructured materials have been achieved through their integration into modern nanotechnology in almost every phase of society. Among nanomaterials, nanodiamonds (NDs) have become a subject of active research due to their attractive properties (e.g., large diameter, high thermal conductivity, hardness, resistance to friction, non-toxicity, small and tunable surface structure, high surface area, chemical inertness, and excellent optical/mechanical properties). These unique properties have expanded their applications which extend to quantum optics, electrochemical coatings, antifriction coatings, antibacterial/antifungal coatings, polymer strengthening, bioimaging probes, implants, polishing, lubricants and fuels, drug delivery, catalyst supports, water cleaning processes, nano-magnetometry, and nano-electrometry. This paper is organized to critically review the diverse commercial applications of NDs, including their use in thin-film electronics, photovoltaic devices, energy storage devices, water treatment, nanofluids, and electrochemical sensors. This review covers the developmental history of carbon nanomaterials with a major emphasis on the structure and chemical nature of NDs, different synthesis techniques of NDs, and their associated properties. Our discussion also expands to describe current market challenges and future directions for the commercial application of NDs.