Patent ID: 10125065

Abstract:
A method for the separation of diamond particle clusters into discrete diamond particles and/or into smaller diamond particle clusters comprising fewer diamond particles is disclosed.The diamond particle clusters are combined with at least one liquid phase organic or inorganic compound, or with a solution of at least one organic or inorganic compound in at least one solvent to form a reaction mixture. Mechanical means are then used to separate the diamond particle clusters into discrete diamond particles and/or into smaller clusters within the reaction mixture producing diamond particles with dangling bonds or free bonding sites on the surface of the diamond particles. The at least one organic or inorganic compound then reacts with these dangling bonds present on the diamond particle surface. The surfaces of the diamond particles are functionalized by the reaction with the organic or inorganic compounds and the diamond particles and/or smaller clusters produced are well dispersed in dry powder form, as well as in solution.