The deposition of metal nanoparticles (such as Ag, Cu, Au, Pd, and Pt) on boron-doped,
polycrystalline diamond thin films grown on silicon substrates was investigated using Raman
spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and X-ray
diffraction. Nanometer-size metal particles with preferred crystalline textures can be
spontaneously deposited on the diamond thin film after a simple immersion in an acidic
solution containing metal ions or metal complex ions. The size and distribution of metal
deposits can be controlled by adjusting the metal ions concentration, the solution acidity,
and the deposition time. The diamond/silicon interfacial ohmic contact was found to be the
critical factor for achieving the observed spontaneous metal deposition on the diamond
surface. Significant enhancement of hydrogen evolution activity was observed on a diamond
electrode modified by 9% coverage of Pd nanoparticles. The results demonstrate a novel
route for depositing nanometer-size metal catalysts on a highly corrosion resistant and
dimensionally stable polycrystalline diamond support.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.