Synthesis and Electrochemical Characteristics of a Nanocomposite Diamond Electrode

Abstract

A nanocomposite material with novel electrochemical properties was synthesized by immersing a platinum wire into the dense zone of the 1-2% plasma in a microwave chemical vapor deposition reactor. Raman analysis of the deposit indicated the presence of nanocrystalline diamond, graphite, and amorphous carbon. Notably, the characteristic broad shoulder between and attributable to amorphous carbon was absent. Growth of freestanding submicrometer-thick whiskers containing diamond and graphite nanocomposite was observed. The nanocomposite material, without any prior surface pretreatment, showed high reversibility for dopamine redox reactions in 0.1 M KCl solution. © 2002 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.