Unusual Nano-Microcrystals of Natural Diamond

Abstract

Described are unusual nano-microcrystals of natural diamond found in a meteorite crater of Ukraine and advised about the earlier unknown mechanism of diamond polyhedra growth—the formation by globules. It was revealed that diamond nano-microcrystals in a meteorite crater are very similar to globular crystals, and at the same time have octahedral faceting. The morphology and composition of diamond nano-microcrystals are studied by scanning electron microscopy and with an energy dispersive X-ray analyser. These tiny crystals are grown on the grains of impact apographitic diamond from the Bilylivka meteorite crater (Zapadnaya impact crater) on the Ukrainian Shield. Their surface morphology indicates that the nano-microdiamonds are grown, most probably, by a vapor deposition process immediately after the formation of the impact diamond–transformation of the graphite into diamond and lonsdaleite.