نوع مقاله : مقاله کامل پژوهشی
عنوان مقاله English
نویسندگان English
Unlocking the full electrochemical potential of diamond-like carbon (DLC) thin films hinges on a nuanced understanding of their synthesis parameters. This study meticulously investigates the profound influence of the methane-to-hydrogen gas ratio on the electrocatalytic performance of DLC films precisely fabricated via direct current plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (DCPECVD). A systematic exploration across methane flow rates from 0.5 to 4.5 sccm revealed a dramatic impact on the film’s microstructure, particularly its sp³/sp² hybridization ratio and grain morphology. The morphology and structure of the samples were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Raman spectroscopy, while electrochemical behavior was quantitatively assessed via electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and Mott–Schottky analysis. The findings unequivocally establish a direct correlation between methane concentration and both the structural attributes and electrochemical efficacy of the DLC coatings. Strikingly, an optimized methane concentration of 0.5 sccm yielded DLC films with an excellent microstructure, marked by a higher sp³/sp² ratio and finely uniform grain structures, which in turn facilitated markedly enhanced electrocatalytic activity. Furthermore, consistent n-type semiconductor conductivity was observed across all investigated DLC samples.
کلیدواژهها English