Apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture corresponding to a self-composite comprised of nanocrystalline diamond and a non-diamond component and corresponding to a composite comprised of nanocrystalline diamond, metal, and other nanocarbons that is useful for thermoelectric and other applications

Abstract

One provides nanocrystalline diamond material that comprises a plurality of substantially ordered diamond crystallites that are sized no larger than about 10 nanometers. One then disposes a non-diamond component within the nanocrystalline diamond material which may comprise an electrical conductor that is formed at the grain boundaries that separate the diamond crystallites from one another. One may also instead react the aforementioned crystallites with a metallic component. The reaction process can comprise combining the crystallites with one or more metal salts in an aqueous solution and then heating that aqueous solution to remove the water. This heating can occur in a reducing atmosphere (comprising, for example, hydrogen and/or methane) to also reduce the salt to metal. Metal or metal carbide nanowires and/or quantum dots are produced as a result of the reaction with the ultrananocrystalline diamond. Such material exhibits thermoelectric and other useful properties.

1 - 92 . (canceled) 
     
     
         93 . An article of manufacture comprising:
 diamond nanocrystallites comprising a plurality of substantially ordered diamond crystallites each sized no larger than about 10 nanometers; and   at least one of metal or metal carbide nanowires and quantum dots that are a product formed by reaction with the diamond crystallites.   
     
     
         94 . The article of manufacture of  claim 93  wherein the metal comprises cobalt. 
     
     
         95 . An article of manufacture comprising:
 a nanoporous nanocomposite stable to 1000 degrees C. composed of disperse ultrananocrystalline diamond and at least one metal notwithstanding a possible integral presence of at least one of:   nanotubes;   fullerenes; and   graphite.   
     
     
         96 . The article of manufacture of  claim 95  wherein the at least one metal comprises a metal alloy or metal carbide. 
     
     
         97 . The article of manufacture of  claim 95  wherein the metal comprises at least one of boron, aluminum, magnesium or a 3D, 4D, 5D, 4F, and 5F series of elements. 
     
     
         98 . The article of manufacture of  claim 95  wherein the nanotubes are formed in the presence of methane gas with a metal or metal carbide acting as a catalyst for nanotube growth. 
     
     
         99 . An article of manufacture comprising:
 substantially-pure carbon material nanocrystallites comprising a plurality of substantially-pure carbon material crystallites each sized no larger than about 10 nanometers; and   at least one of metal or metal carbide nanowires and quantum dots that are a product formed by reaction with the substantially-pure carbon material crystallites.   
     
     
         100 . The article of manufacture of  claim 99  wherein the metal comprises cobalt.