On the structure of concentrated detonation nanodiamond hydrosols with a positive ζ potential: Analysis of small-angle neutron scattering

Highlights: • Structure of nanodiamond hydrosols with a positive ζ potential is determined. • Unique mechanism of cluster formation for opposite potentials is concluded. • Similar particle characteristics in clusters are obtained for opposite potentials. • The same structure organization of hydrosols was found for light and heavy water. Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) was applied for the structure characterization of detonation nanodiamond (DND) aqueous suspensions with a positive ζ potential. The contrast variation technique (based on mixtures of light and heavy water) was used to study the structure of DND particles and their clusters in solutions. The results were compared with the data of the previous similar experiments for DND suspensions with a negative ζ potential. The experimental range of the neutron scattering contrast in the system was extended to maximally possible by starting with the initial concentrated suspensions separately prepared in light and heavy water.