Nanostructured diamond decorated with Pt particles: preparation and electrochemistry

Abstract

The preparation of nanostructured diamond electrodes, decorated with Pt nanoparticles is described in this work. The method involves the electrodeposition of Pt particles on the diamond electrode surface, after which the structure is treated with either an oxygen plasma or an hydrogen plasma. In the former treatment, the Pt particles serve as a hard resist during the oxygen plasma etching of the diamond, yielding structures consisting of Pt particles located on the top of diamond nanorods. In the latter treatment, the Pt catalysed gasification of diamond in the hydrogen plasma occurs, leading to the localisation of the Pt particles in nanopits on the electrode interface. The electrochemical activity of this latter structure with regard to the electrochemical oxidation of both glucose and methanol is demonstrated. It is shown that the hydrogen plasma treatment provides a viable route for the preparation of Pt decorated electrodes with significantly improved chemical stability.