Engineering of diamond synthesis towards bioapplications

Abstract

Diamond excels in combining intrinsic and surface properties, controlling its application in various life science fields. Understanding the complex interaction with living organisms is highly desirable but limited by the technological possibilities of diamond synthesis. They are displayed to some extent. Yet, the fabrication over large areas and substrate temperature limitation remain open. At the same time, high throughput methods of optically active diamond fabrication are missing. We conducted targeted experiments to understand how high-quality diamond can be grown at low substrate temperatures and how the deposition area can be extended with control of diamond film morphology. We extend the traditional diamond deposition area in C-H-O ternary diagram at the expense of the non-growth area and presented plasma chemistry leading to the direct growth of porous diamond morphology. At the same time, we assess key parameters that determine the optical activity of prepared color centers in a diamond matrix. Finally, in collaboration with biologists and doctors, we conducted targeted experiments to understand how diamond morphology and surface influence interaction with bone cells. These in vitro experimental findings were transferred to in vivo and resulted in increased body implant osteointegration in the early stage of bone formation