Fabrication and characterization of gold nanoclusters on phosphorus incorporated tetrahedral amorphous carbon electrode

Gold nanoclusters (NCs) were electrodeposited on phosphorus incorporated tetrahedral amorphous carbon (ta-C:P) electrode and characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The nanosized Au deposits controlled by adjusting the deposition time represented a progressive nucleation and diffusion-controlled growth of separate three-dimensional islands on limited sites. Significant enhancement of electrochemical activity and reversibility towards ferricyanide oxidation reaction was observed after the deposition of Au NCs on ta-C:P film, implying ta-C:P/Au as a potential material for the application of electroanalysis.