<p>Detonation
nanodiamonds (DNDs) are a class of very small and spherical diamond
nanocrystals. Used in polymer reinforcement materials, as drug delivery systems
or as fluorescent biomarkers, only the final deaggregation step down to the
single-digit nanometer size unfolds their full potential. All existing
deaggregation methods rely on mechanical forces, such as high-power sonication
or beads milling. We report a purely chemical deaggregation method by combining
oxidation in air followed by a boiling acid treatment. Our DNDs are surface
functionalized with carboxyl groups, the final boiling acid treatment removes
primary metal contaminants and the nanoparticles remain dispersed over a wide
pH range. Experiments can be easily carried out in a standard chemistry
laboratory. This is a key step for many DND-based applications, ranging from
material science to biological or medical applications and opens a way for
inexpensive mass production on industrial scale.</p>
Far-red acclimating cyanobacterium as versatile source for bright fluorescent biomarkers