Study of diamond-like carbon films doped with transition metals and used as cathodes for current creation in water

Abstract

Properties of diamond-like carbon films (DLCF) on n-Si substrates used as cathodes in Yb – DLCF (n-Si) water electrochemical system have been studied by current creation with water decomposition H2O → OH⁻ + H⁺ . The current is several times higher after preliminary electrolytic deposition of impurity that contains one of the transition metals (Pd, Pt, Ni, Cr) on DLCF (n-Si) layer, which changes the nature of the catalytic process of water decomposition. The aging effect of DLCF (n-Si) 〈Me〉 was observed after 7- to 25-day metal oxidation in air. It is confirmed the change of the electron work function of CDL (n-Si) 〈Me〉 electrode and the current change between it and the Yb electrode.