Abstract
Diamond-like carbon (DLC) flakes were produced using a dual-frequency method: microwave/radiofrequency plasma-assisted chemical vapour deposition (MW/RF PACVD) with the use of methane or its mixture with gases such as hydrogen, argon, oxygen or nitrogen. Their modification was performed using a planetary ball mill with and without a fluid: deionised water or methanol. Changes occurring in the morphology of flake surfaces were presented in pictures taken using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Their composition and chemical structure were analysed using Raman spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The presented research results show that it is possible to control the size of flakes and their chemical structure. An increase in the C-C sp3 bond content in produced carbon-based materials is only possible by modifying DLC flakes during their production process by introducing oxygen or argon into the working chamber together with the carbon-carrying gas. In the processes of mechanical DLC flake modification, it is necessary to add fluid to limit the occurrence of graphitisation processes. The research conducted shows that methanol is best used for this purpose as its use results in a decrease in the percentage of C-C sp3 bonds as compared to the materials, before milling, of only 1.7%. A frequent problem both in the production of DLC flakes and during their mechanical modification is the introduction of additional elements into their structure. Admixing electrode materials from the plasma-chemical device (iron) or grinding beads (zirconium) to DLC flakes was observed in our studies. These processes can be limited by the appropriate selection of production conditions or by mechanical modifications.
Highlights
Carbon materials in a fragmented or thin-layered form are the basis for numerous contemporary studies and applications
diamond-like carbon (DLC) flakes were produced using a device based on the MW/RF plasma-assisted chemical vapour deposition (PACVD) method which was described in earlier publications [16,19,23]
2020, 13, 1209 materials were produced on the steel surface of an RF electrode using processes conducted in a methane atmosphere or its mixture with hydrogen, argon, oxygen and nitrogen. It can be seen in the pictures that the presence of oxygen and argon the reduction of reduction thickness and the size ofand the powders produced, probably due to the intensification promotes the of thickness the size of the powders produced, probably due to of the etching processes (Figure flakes produced in an atmosphere of methane, methane with intensification of etching processes (Figure 2c,d)
Summary
Carbon materials in a fragmented or thin-layered form are the basis for numerous contemporary studies and applications. The largest number of studies in this area, as presented in the global literature, pertain to powders in the form of nanotubes, graphene or nanodiamonds [1,2,3] Excellent methods for their production, cleaning and functionalisation are known [4,5,6,7]. Especially in medical applications [10,11] and it is often modified by adding various elements, e.g., Si, Ag, F or Ti [12,13,14] It can be used for the production of carbon-based fragmented materials, which are usually described in the literature as flakes or powders [15,16]. The name of DLC covers many types of materials which are mostly a mixture of C-C sp and C=C sp bonds and hydrogen [17,18]
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