Processing and characterization of diamond nanocrystals for applications in biosensing

Due to its unique physical properties (transparency, bio-compatibility, chemical inertness, availability of stable luminescent centers, etc.), artificial diamond is a promising material for applications in cellular biosensing. In particular, nanometer-sized diamond crystals offer unique opportunities for optical labeling and drug delivery in living cells, due to their low toxicity. This thesis work aims to employing innovative techniques taking advantage of large scale facilities (i.e. MeV ion beam irradiation) combined with different thermal and chemical processing techniques for the optical and chemical functionalization of nanodiamonds. Different techniques will be employed for characterizing such structural modifications, and subsequently both cellular imaging and (possibly) drug delivery will be explored as a final goal of the activity.