Laser purification of ultradispersed diamond in aqueous solution

The effect of pulsed radiation from a 2.92-μm, 130-ns Cr³⁺:Yb³⁺:Ho³⁺:YSGG holmium laser and a 510-nm, 20-ns copper vapour laser on an aqueous suspension of ultradispersed diamond is studied. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy revealed that exposure of the suspension to holmium laser radiation reduces the concentration of nondiamond carbon impurity in it. This is due to the dissolution of carbon impurity in supercritical aqueous solution, caused by radiation absorption. Dissolution of the nondiamond fraction may serve as an indicator of the solution being in the supercritical state as a result of laser irradiation of liquids. This process can be used for efficient purification of ultradispersed diamonds.