Exsolution of oxygen impurity from diamond lattice and formation of pressurized CO2-I precipitates

Abstract

Diamond single crystals showing Infra-red features of pressurized CO2-I phase were studied using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and tomography. Numerous O-containing precipitates with sizes up to 45 nm are observed. The absolute majority of these precipitates decorate dislocation loops or are located inside them; individual scattered precipitates are also present. Morphology of the precipitates varies from quasi-isometric octahedra to highly flattened elongated ones. Close association of the precipitates with the dislocation loops implies their formation by exsolution of oxygen impurity from diamond lattice; the size distribution of the precipitates suggests that the equilibrium state is not yet reached. Presumably, the morphology and precise chemical composition depend on P-T-t evolution of the diamond crystal and corresponding changes in oxygen supersaturation in the lattice. The CO2-containing diamonds often contain micron-sized hexagonal lamellar inclusions. TEM investigation of a lamellae reveals that it consists of high quality graphite showing partial epitaxial relation with comprising diamond. The gap between the graphite and diamond may be enriched with oxygen impurity.