Self-composite comprised of nanocrystalline diamond and a non-diamond component useful for thermoelectric applications
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. By one approach this non-diamond component comprises an electrical conductor that is formed at the grain boundaries that separate the diamond crystallites from one another. The resultant nanowire is then able to exhibit a desired increase with respect to its ability to conduct electricity while also preserving the thermal conductivity behavior of the nanocrystalline diamond material.
1. A method comprising:
providing nanocrystalline carbon-containing sp3-bonded solid refractory material in the absence of a film and comprising a plurality of crystallites each sized no larger than about 10 nanometers;
forming covalent bonds between a non-diamond component and the nanocrystalline carbon-containing sp3-bonded solid refractory material wherein the non-diamond component comprises at least one of:
disordered carbon; and
graphite crystallites each sized no larger than about 10 nanometers; and adding at least one non-carbon material to volumetrically expanded grain boundaries as pertain to the crystallites.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the non-carbon material comprises a non-metal.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the non-metal material comprises sulfur.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the non-carbon material comprises a metal material.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein the metal material comprises aluminum.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the non-carbon material comprises an alkali-metal material.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein the alkali-metal material comprises lithium.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein the non-carbon material comprises at least one of:
sulfur;
aluminum;
lithium.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein forming the covalent bonds comprises forming a thermoelectrically active material.
10. The method of claim 9 further comprising:
using the thermoelectrically active material to generate electricity by subjecting the thermoelectrically active material to a temperature gradient to thereby provide a corresponding voltage potential.