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Diamonds

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ed2288 | 21:46 Sun 01st Jan 2006 | Science
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As you may or may not know, diamonds are a macromolecule containing carbon atoms linked to other carbon atoms. However, at the edge of the molecule the carbons bind with hydrogen (otherwise the molecule would never stop!). My question is: what happens if you cut open a diamond in a vacuum? because there would be no extra hydrogen atoms for the new edges


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Except... the hydrogen-terminated structures only occur in CVD diamond films and coatings, which are typically, 2 to 5 microns in thickness, not naturally occurring diamonds. H-atoms terminate the 'dangling' carbon bonds that are seen in CVD production and not experienced in covalent structured natural diamonds.
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Not at all eddie... have a really good New Year!

If you cleave any crystal in a high vac system you will get a truly clean surface - ie no dangly bits.
True point, Hamish. Diamond is not an element at all but an alkane with a large C:H ratio.

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