Nanoscale surface modification of diamond for enhanced electrochemical sensing: Electrochemical characteristics of the surface modification

Nanoscale modification of the surface characteristics of boron-doped diamond has been demonstrated by local electrical discharge in electrolyte solutions. The nano-spots were created on (100)-oriented and oxygen-terminated surface of single crystal diamond using a Pt–Ir tip close to the surface. The created nano-spots caused an increase of the electrochemical activity of the diamond surface in 0.1 M H2SO4 electrolyte observed in the anodic potential range. The presence of the nano-spots was identified by selective deposition of gold clusters on the processed surface in a gold galvanic solution.