Deposition of Diamond-like Carbon and Carbyne Thin Film by Cathodic Plasma Electrolysis Process

Abstract

By using cathodic plasma electrolysis, a thin film of diamond-like carbon and carbyne was produced on the nickel surface. The ethanolic solution at different concentrations of 15, 30 and 50 vol% was used as the electrolyte; the produced carbon film was studied by using glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, optical profilometer, and surface enhanced Raman scattering. The results proved the coating formation of 40-60 nm thick carbon materials on the nickel surface. The intensity ratio of carbyne band to the amorphous carbon structure band in the Raman spectroscopy was decreased from 1.o4 to 0.32 by an increase in ethanol concentration; this was related to the reduction at the carbyne and the increase of the diamond-like carbon content in the produced film. Also, the study of the samples surface showed an increase in the surface roughness from 520 to 750 nm by enhancing the ethanol concentration.

Keywords

• cathodic plasma electrolysis
• diamond-like carbon
• carbyne
• raman spectroscopy.