Structural investigation of diamond nanoplatelets grown by microwave plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition

We report a unique morphology of diamond nanoplatelets synthesized by microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition on Ni coated polycrystalline diamond substrates. The diamond nanoplatelets were as thin as approximately 30 nm. Electron microscopy showed that the diamond nanoplatelets appear in a shape consisting of trapezoid and parallelogram tabular crystallites. Furthermore, the diamond nanoplatelets were single crystalline, as shown by electron diffraction. The edges of nanoplatelets were along the 〈110〉 direction with both the top and bottom tabular surfaces parallel to the {111} plane. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the twinned planes are parallel to the platelet and side-face structure in ridge shape is bounded by {100} and {111} planes. Lateral growth of diamond nanoplatelet is believed to result from twin and ridge face structure. An oriented thin graphite layer was observed on some diamond nanoplatelets.