Electrochemical synthesis and characterization of amorphous hydrogenated carbon (a-C:H) using acetonitrile as electrolyte

Amorphous hydrogenated carbon films could be synthesized at room temperature onto SnO2 coated glass substrates by electrodeposition using a solution of acetonitrile (CH3CN) and water as electrolyte. Applied voltage was remarkably low (∼16 V) for the synthesis of diamond-like carbon and amorphous hydrogenated carbon films by electrodeposition from organic solvents. The films were analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscope, Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Secondary Ion Mass Spectroscopy (SIMS), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman etc. XPS spectrum showed the presence of carbons only. No signature of nitrogen incorporation from the bath was detected by XPS and SIMS. The films are amorphous in nature as indicated by TEM and X-ray Diffraction analysis. The FTIR spectra are dominated by the peaks at ∼2899, ∼2920 and ∼2971 cm−1. Raman spectra are dominated by the peaks at ∼1350 and 1556 cm−1. Photo Luminescence and Field emission measurements were also performed for these films.