Nano-sized diamond crystallites synthesized by explosive detonation have a
very spherical shape 4-6 nm in size, and a very high microstrain. The diamo
nd crystallites are shown to experience a coagulation stage of the carbon d
roplets during the detonation reaction. This paper also introduces applicat
ions of this material in improving the nucleation of chemical deposition di
amond film, in low field emission materials, and in wearing and antiattriti
on materials. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.