Reflections on the Future Development of China's Superhard Materials Industry

—In Commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of Synthetic Diamond in China

Authors:Wang Guangzu,Zhang Xinmin,Wang Fushan

The year 2024 marks the 60th anniversary of the birth of China’s first synthetic diamond.Industry elites from enterprises,universities,and research institutes across the country have gathered in Zhengzhou,the diamond capital of China,to grandly celebrate this monumental occasion for the superhard materials industry!

At this grand gathering,the pioneers of the superhard materials industry shared their experiences and insights,celebrating achievements and passionately contributing ideas to envision a brighter future for the superhard materials sector.

To achieve this vision,we must firmly uphold innovation,seize opportunities,embrace our historical mission,and accelerate the high-quality development of the superhard materials industry.

1.Brief Retrospective

It is essential to remind future generations of the following:When we proudly announced to the world that synthetic diamonds were successfully produced in China,our adversaries,who had hoped to suppress China's nascent industrial development,were shocked and skeptical.They doubted that China,with its then relatively underdeveloped scientific and industrial base,could achieve what they considered high-tech material synthesis in less than three years.China's emergence as the sixth nation globally to master this advanced technology was deemed nothing short of incredible.

The 60-year journey of this industry has been filled with arduous efforts,resulting in numerous inspiring and touching stories that have shaped a unique industry spirit.Especially noteworthy are the courage to innovate,the tenacity to overcome challenges,the commitment to integrity,and the emphasis on collaboration.These qualities have become the backbone of those in the superhard materials field,empowering them to triumph over difficulties and achieve remarkable successes.This spirit is a precious legacy for the future.

Over six decades,we have established a modern,large-scale superhard materials and applications industry.Additionally,we have built numerous national key laboratories,national engineering technology research centers,national-level industrial bases,corporate engineering research centers,and platforms for technological innovation and applied research,such as industry-university-research strategic alliances,academician workstations,and postdoctoral workstations.A pool of innovative talents has been cultivated,forming a high-quality workforce and pioneering foundational research in superhard materials.These strategic arrangements have laid a solid foundation for the sustainable development of the industry and the realization of the"superhard materials powerhouse"dream.

2.Prospects and Suggestions for Cubic Boron Nitride(CBN)

CBN,second only to diamond in hardness,possesses unique electrical,optical,acoustic,thermal,and chemical properties,distinguishing it from diamond.These characteristics provide a technological foundation for developing new application fields.

• Nanotwinned CBN:This long-anticipated material is expected to be a revolutionary super tool material in the industry.
• CBN Thin Films:As a critical area of CBN synthesis,thin films have become a new research hotspot,opening up entirely new application possibilities for CBN.

CBN produced through the explosive method combines high hardness with excellent toughness,making it an ideal material for manufacturing CBN abrasive pastes and polishing agents.

Compared with traditional methods of CBN production,the hydrothermal synthesis method offers advantages such as lower costs,easier reaction monitoring,less pollution,and better homogeneity of the reaction system.These characteristics are particularly favorable for the growth of large single crystals.The successful hydrothermal synthesis of CBN microcrystals has opened a new technological pathway for CBN production.

From a follower to a leader,China has become a global powerhouse in the production of CBN single crystals and polycrystalline materials,excelling in manufacturing strength and research and development leadership,creating remarkable achievements in the CBN industry.Under the guidance of new green manufacturing practices,CBN materials have expanded from traditional applications in grinding and cutting to broader functional applications in fundamental fields such as acoustics,optics,and electronics.The beautiful scattering halo of CBN crystals hints at a more mysterious realm awaiting exploration.We wish for an even more brilliant future for China’s CBN industry.

3.Promising Applications of High-Quality Large Single-Crystal Diamond

If breakthroughs in high-quality large single-crystal diamond technology are achieved,diamond-based chips could soon become critical components for developing new high-performance computers.Research into environmentally friendly materials incorporating diamond could efficiently degrade harmful substances,converting wastewater into clean water that meets national standards.This might address global challenges in the biopharmaceutical industry.Furthermore,developing diamond-based superhard materials,which share the same carbon-based structure,could replace metals in manufacturing components such as heart pacemakers and artificial joints.These diamond-based components could eliminate the body's rejection of metal materials while being extremely durable,potentially representing a new breakthrough in the medical industry.

Collaborating with interested colleagues,China’s superhard materials researchers are turning one"question mark"after another into"periods"and"exclamation marks"of innovation and development.While research and development into the superior optical,electronic,thermal,and chemical properties of diamond are still mostly in the theoretical and laboratory exploration stages,it is anticipated that these"bold ideas"will soon take the lead in innovation,opening up new spaces for industrial development.This could create vast and fertile"blue oceans"for the superhard materials industry and national manufacturing.

4.Applications in Quantum and Semiconductor Development

(1)The voyage to explore revolutionary diamond quantum technology has already set sail and is making steady progress.

(2)Why is quantum technology such a hot topic and considered so crucial?It has captivated scientists and national leaders worldwide.The fundamental reason lies in understanding two key questions:What is quantum?What is quantum technology?

(3)Among all known materials,diamond is uniquely exceptional in integrating optical,electronic,thermal,acoustic,and magnetic properties.This unique advantage is determined by its intrinsic nature,making it unparalleled among other materials.

(4)The development of diamond quantum technology undoubtedly has vast potential in the advancement of new materials.The vigorous growth of quantum technology represents both an opportunity and a challenge for professionals in the superhard materials field.Superhard materials researchers must continue to embody the spirit of innovation and perseverance,actively participating in exploring new application territories for quantum diamond technology.

With the continuous development of diamond semiconductor technology,future breakthroughs are expected in n-type doping technology,the preparation of large-size,high-quality single crystals,and overcoming bottlenecks such as high flatness and uniformity.These advancements will enable diamond electronic devices with higher power performance and thinner diamond-based semiconductor devices compared to silicon chips.Diamond-based electronic products may very likely become the industry standard for high-energy-efficiency electronics,significantly impacting high-tech industries.Applications could include faster supercomputers,advanced radar and telecommunications systems,ultra-efficient hybrid vehicles,electronics for extreme environments,and next-generation aerospace equipment.

5.Nanodiamond:A Key Member of the Nanomaterials Family

Nanodiamond is a significant member of the nanomaterials family.It not only retains the comprehensive excellent properties of diamond but also possesses biocompatibility that is harmless to the human body.Nanodiamond exhibits remarkable transmission and absorption rates for radar waves,infrared,and ultraviolet light,exceptional cold-cathode field emission properties,and features a surface rich in functional groups such as carboxyl,hydrocarbon,and carbonyl groups.These characteristics make it easy to bond tightly with metals,rubber,plastic polymers,and fabric surfaces,providing a solid technical foundation and development space for nanodiamond applications.

6.Scientists Predict CVD Diamond Films Will Dominate Future Diamond Material Development

Chemical Vapor Deposition(CVD)diamond films are forecasted to become the mainstream in future diamond material development.In addition to their immense economic potential,CVD diamond films can maximize the comprehensive properties of diamond materials.Applications range across mechanical processing,automotive,information technology,energy sectors,national defense,and cutting-edge technologies,effectively transforming the industrial structure of the national economy.

Diamond films,with their unique integration of electrical,optical,mechanical,acoustic,and thermal properties,are critical strategic materials for the nation.The key to developing and researching diamond film materials lies in the core manufacturing technology of hot filament chemical vapor deposition(HFCVD)systems.This technology enables the deposition of diamond films on irregular substrates and metal surfaces,significantly advancing high-end manufacturing,environmental protection,and energy industries in China.

7.Earnest Expectations

7.1 Academician workstations and postdoctoral stations must focus on cultivating technical talents who possess both foundational theoretical knowledge and practical craftsmanship.

7.2 Reports at technical seminars should include more content that is meaningful and valuable for guiding enterprise development.

7.3 Scientific research institutions must prioritize accelerating the transformation of technological achievements into productive capabilities.

7.4 Efforts should be directed toward functional applications of superhard materials.

7.5 Focus should be placed on creating unique,unparalleled brands in superhard material tools.

7.6 Emphasis must be on independent innovation,continuous innovation,and further innovation.

7.7 Steps should be taken to establish leading enterprises with distinctive products.

7.8 Greater focus should be placed on the research,industrialization,and expansion of applications for DLC(Diamond-Like Carbon)coatings.

7.9 Increased efforts should be made to advance the research and industrialization of jewelry-grade diamonds cultivated using MPCVD(Microwave Plasma Chemical Vapor Deposition)and to expedite their commercialization.

7.10 We must carry forward the spirit of independence,self-reliance,hard work,and nation-building through practical efforts.