Article

Researchers at Zhengzhou University have created a pure hexagonal diamond that tests slightly harder than many natural diamonds, resolving a long-standing debate regarding this carbon structure. The diamond was formed from graphite under 20 gigapascals of pressure and temperatures between 1,300 and 1,900°C.

The resulting sample underwent X-ray diffraction, confirming its hexagonal structure, and Vickers hardness tests indicated it reached about 114 gigapascals under a 9.8-newton load. This diamond exhibits strong thermal stability, making it suitable for applications in cutting, drilling, and electronics. Future research will focus on producing larger samples and comparing them with engineered diamonds.