On the interaction of molecular hydrogen with diamonds: An experimental study using nuclear probes and thermal desorption

Hydrogen behavior in monocrystalline diamonds with different concentrations and types of nitrogen defects was studied using Nuclear Reaction and micro-Elastic Recoil Detection Analyses and Thermal Desorption Spectroscopy. Diamonds were studied in as-received state, after HPHT treatment and after hydrogenation in molecular hydrogen. A considerable amount of hydrogen was found to be bonded to diamond surfaces. Kinetics of surface hydrogen desorption is similar to what was reported for plasma-hydrogenated diamonds. The solubility of hydrogen in type IIa diamonds is very low. The efficiency of hydrogen traps in diamond bulk varies with the dominant type of nitrogen-related defects. The cross-section of traps decreases in row Ib > IaA > IaB diamonds, though binding energy in type IaB crystals may be higher, than in type IaA. Dislocations may promote hydrogen diffusion. A marked dependency of the hydrogen content and diffusivity between diamond growth sectors were observed for some samples. The total hydrogen content is higher in octahedral sectors.