Solvothermal Deposition of Diamond-Like Carbon Films by Electrochemical Reduction of Chloroform

A new system for deposition of diamond-like carbon (DLC) films through solvothermal electroreduction of chloroform was reported. Chloroform dissolved in a propylene carbonate (PC) solution containing Bu(4)NCl as supporting electrolyte was electrochemically reduced at low potentials (-1.2 or -1.6 V vs. Ag/AgCl/Cl(-)). The effect of temperature, volume ratio of chloroform to PC and electrode materials on the deposition were studied. The products were characterized by the Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. A DLC film containing more sp(3) hybrid carbon atoms could be deposited at 100 degrees C volume ratio of chloroform to PC of 1/3 on a Pt electrode. The deposition mechanism was discussed.