Role of Sandwich Cu Layer in and Effect of Self-Bias on Nanomechanical Properties of Copper/Diamond-Like Carbon Bilayer Films

Abstract

The role of sandwich Cu layer in and effect of self-bias on structural and nanomechanical properties of Cu/DLC bilayer films have been explored. Cu/DLC bilayer films were grown, under varied self-bias from −125 to −225 V, using hybrid system involving radiofrequency-(RF-) plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition and RF-sputtering units. Surface topography and mean roughness was studied by atomic force microscope and then correlated with mechanical properties. The addition of sandwich Cu layer in DLC reduces its residual stress and does not affect bilayer film hardness and elastic modulus. Load versus displacement was also employed to estimate various other mechanical parameters, which further correlated with self-bias and structural properties. These Cu/DLC bilayer films seem to be a potential candidate for various industrial applications such as hard and protective coating on cutting tools, solar cells, and wear resistance coating on magnetic storage media.

Effect of the metal concentration on the structural, mechanical and tribological properties of self-organized a-C:Cu hard nanocomposite coatings

“…Over the last decade, there has been a specific interest in the formation of copper-carbon nanocomposite films as wear resistant and low friction coatings for tribological applications [10][11][12][13][14][15]. Furthermore, the incorporation of copper has been reported to reduce the temperature-dependent electrical transport and also to enhance the absorbance of light which could be useful for some photovoltaic applications [13].…”

Study of 130 Mev Ni Ion Irradiation Induced Surface Modification of DLC Films Grown By Microwave Plasma CVD.

“…The wear resistance of the UHMWPE against a metal femoral head deposited with DLC by MPCVD showed better performance [6]. The surface of DLC can be modified on the nanometer scale using high energy ion irradiation [7] and self bias [8]. Ion irradiation has been used to produce a wide variety of modifications in different materials due to the energy loss of the ions as they travel through the material.…”

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“…The wear resistance of the UHMWPE against a metal femoral head deposited with DLC by MPCVD showed better performance [6]. The surface of DLC can be modified on the nanometer scale using high energy ion irradiation [7] and self bias [8]. Ion irradiation has been used to produce a wide variety of modifications in different materials due to the energy loss of the ions as they travel through the material.…”