Ordered porous diamond films fabricated by colloidal crystal templating

Nanotechnology. 2012 Jan 13;23(1):015601. doi: 10.1088/0957-4484/23/1/015601. Epub 2011 Dec 8.

Abstract

We have developed a colloidal crystal templating method for preparation of diamond films with 2D and 3D ordered porous structures. The technological process involved breaks down into (a) impregnation into the pores of silica colloidal crystal (opal) films of detonation nanodiamond (DND) particles from their hydrosol; (b) microwave plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (MWPECVD) regrowth with diamond of pores with high DND filling; (c) Ar(+) ion dry etching of fragments of shells of coalesced diamond crystallites which form in the course of MWPECVD on the surface of the SiO(2) beads making up the outer surface of a film and (d) wet etching of the SiO(2) template in aqueous HF solution. The final samples are either connected to the substrate or free-standing films of various thicknesses having 2D or 3D ordered porous structures. The morphology of the diamond films fabricated by this method replicates the pore network of the opal template. Raman measurements confirm the diamond structure of the synthesized ordered porous material.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't