Self-Assembled Ni Nanoclusters in Diamond-like Amorphous Carbon deposited by Filtered Cathodic Vacuum Arc (FCVA) technique

III-1: Self-Assembled Metal Nanoclusters in Diamond-like Amorphous Carbon

B.K. Tay,
X.W. Sun,
S. P. Lau,
J.S. Chen*,
D.H.C. Chua**

School of EEE, Nanyang Technological University
*Data Storage Institute, A*STAR
**Engineering Department, Cambridge University

Abstract
We would like to report the exploratory investigation into the unique phenomenal of self-assembling of metal/metal oxides nanoclusters embedded in a tough yet chemically inert Diamond-like Carbon (DLC) material with application such as catalysts precursor for growth of nanotubes, nanowires.

Using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), we report the first observations of a self-assembled Metal (Ni) Nanocluster embedded in a Diamond-like amorphous carbon (DL-aC) matrix. A filtered cathodic vacuum arc (FCVA) system, using a 5% Ni in graphite cathode, was used to deposit the Ni containing DL-aC films at room temperature. The self-assembly of Ni into nanoclusters, with average diameter of ~2nm with a (111) orientation was observed. Future works involving such nanocluster growth will also be discussed.