Self-assemble Au@amorphous-C/fullerene-like-C core-shell nanocomposite film with near-elastic response

Abstract

The well-known integration of outstanding optical, electronic, and catalytic properties enables Au nanomaterials to be applied in various fields, however, the intrinsically easy plastic flow of Au nanomaterials results in insufficient mechanical durability. Herein, the strategy of assembling core-shell structure to enclose Au nanoparticles is presented to tune the mechanical response for enhancing durability. Under the impact of the catalytic property of Au nanoparticles, the unique nanoshell containing the curved fullerene-like carbon (FL-C) fragments and amorphous carbon (a-C) tissue can self-assemble around Au nanoparticles and encapsulate adjacent Au nanocores, forming the [email protected]/FL-C core-shell structure via co-sputtering method. Compared to pure Au film, such self-assemble [email protected]/FL-C film can transform the mechanical response from plastic flow to the desirable near-elastic response. Additionally, the novel [email protected]/FL-C structure also endows favorable properties such as high strength (∼13.7 GPa), high elastic recovery (∼90%), and low wear rate (1.51 × 10−7 mm3/Nm), which are even superior to the traditionally considered protective-lubricating a-C film. The structural characteristic of [email protected]/FL-C film can provide a route to design Au-based materials with enhanced strength, near-elastic response, and high durability for resisting wear.