Diamond like carbon nanocomposites with embedded metallic nanoparticles

Abstract

In this work we present an overview on structure formation, optical and electrical properties of diamond like carbon (DLC) based metal nanocomposites deposited by reactive magnetron sputtering and treated by plasma and laser ablation methods. The influence of deposition mode and other technological conditions on the properties of the nanosized filler, matrix components and composition were studied systematically in relation to the final properties of the nanocomposites. Applications of the nanocomposites in the development of novel biosensors combining resonance response of wave guiding structures in DLC based nanocomposites as well as plasmonic effects are also presented.

Tailoring of Silver Nanoparticle Size Distributions in Hydrogenated Amorphous Diamond‐Like Carbon Nanocomposite Thin Films by Direct Femtosecond Laser Interference Patterning

“…Filler‐free a‐C:H (DLC‐0) and DLC:Ag nanocomposite thin films were deposited using a custom‐made unbalanced reactive magnetron sputtering system in a direct current mode. The principle scheme of the deposition system can be found elsewhere . For the deposition, an acetylene and argon gas mixture was used.…”

“…For this purpose, amorphous diamond‐like carbon (DLC) has been widely applied. Because noble metals stay in the metallic phase when introduced into DLC, they do not form nitrides and carbides . DLC describes a broad term referring to several forms of amorphous carbon (hydrogenated [a‐C:H] and hydrogen‐free [a‐C]) and can be applied in biosensors, electronics, protective coatings for mechanical and medical components, and so on .…”

“…Characteristic disadvantages of DLC (poor thermal stability and high internal stresses) can be overcome by introducing metal nanoparticles to the film . By combining the best properties of matrix and filler (in our case, DLC and Ag nanoparticles, respectively), the resulting nanocomposite films have promising applications in multidisciplinary fields of mechanics, optics and photonics, electronics, and medicine …”

“…One of the most important parameters in laser patterning is the ablation threshold: the ablation occurs solely when the incident laser irradiation energy surpasses the threshold, which, in turn, depends on the combination of laser properties and the chosen material . Moreover, the ablation threshold of nanocomposites is different than that of its separate components . The ablation threshold can be reduced by applying multiple laser pulses at certain repetition rates, which is referred to as incubation effect .…”

“…Because noble metals stay in the metallic phase when introduced into DLC, they do not form nitrides and carbides. [9] DLC describes a broad term referring to several forms of amorphous carbon (hydrogenated [a-C:H] and hydrogen-free [a-C]) [10] and can be applied in biosensors, electronics, protective coatings for mechanical and medical components, and so on. [11] Characteristic disadvantages of DLC (poor thermal stability and high internal stresses) can be overcome by introducing metal nanoparticles to the film.…”