Synthesis of Diamond Using Spark Plasma Sintering

Abstract

This chapter will focus on the synthesis of diamond using the SPS technique. We aim to promote the SPS method to be used as a large-scale synthetic diamond production technique as an alternative to the present HPHT method. In the first part of this chapter, the thermal stability of carbon nanotubes, C60 and graphite under the pulsed DC field of SPS and AC field of conventional sintering will be studied. In the second part of this chapter, the application of catalysts in the diamond synthesis by the SPS will be investigated. In the last part of this chapter, the factors that influence the diamond growth in the SPS, including carbon modifications and atmospheres (Vacuum, Ar) will be studied in order to increase the diamond sizes and transition rates.