Diamond formation on platinum

Abstract

We have made in situ mass spectral measurements and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements at the surface of a diamond film growing on a platinum substrate. We measured the concentrations of CH4, C2H4, and C2H2 and detected additional species with from three to ten carbon atoms. The gas-phase chemical kinetics controlling the concentrations of the C1 and C2 species was modeled, and agreement between the calculated and measured concentrations was good. The presence or absence of the platinum foil had no effect on the measured concentrations, showing that heterogeneous chemistry on platinum did not affect the gas-phase environment. XPS spectra were taken during the course of the diamond growth without exposing the platinum foil to air. After exposure to a room-temperature CH4/H2 mixture but before any growth, the platinum surface was mostly covered with graphitic carbon. Once growth was initiated the graphitic layer was gradually replaced by 1–3 monolayers of hydrocarbon material, which did not thicken with time. Finally, the hydrocarbons were replaced or covered by a diamond film. CO titration experiments demonstrated that practically no active platinum atoms were exposed to the gas-phase reactants during growth. This fact explains the lack of activity of the platinum foil.