Graphene used to create highly corrosive water

Researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) have managed to create water that is corrosive enough to etch diamonds. This was discovered by mistake - the researchers attached a layer of graphene on diamond, and then heated it to a high temperature (to encourage bonding). Water molecules that were trapped between the diamond and graphene could not escape (because graphene is impermeable ).

The "trapped", heated water transformed into a supercritical phase that behaves differently compared to "normal" water. It even corroded the diamond.

This interesting discovery can have several applications - such supercritical water can be used for degradation of organic waste and also as a laser-assisted etching of semiconductor films.

Source: 
Posted: Mar 13,2013 by Ron Mertens