Electrical and magnetic properties of nanodiamond and pyrocarbon composites

The electrical and magnetic properties of the nanodiamond composites comprising nanodiamond, pyrolytic carbon, and nanosized pores were studied. The composites are p -type semiconductors and their resistance decreases by 12 orders of magnitude as the pyrocarbon-to-diamond ratio γ increases from 0 to 80 wt %. Evidence for paramagnetic properties of the nanodiamond composites was obtained. The observed properties are explained by increased concentration of surface Tamm states. The paramagnetic properties are explained in terms of the electron spins localized on the nanodiamond surface in the composite.