Scanning tunneling microscopy of diamond-like nanocomposite films

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Abstract
Scanning tunneling microscopy is used in the present investigation to study metal containing diamond‐like nanocomposites, viz. (a‐C:H)/(a‐Si:O)/Me films. By comparing images taken before and after samples were annealed at 450 °C for two hours, a formation of sp2‐rich regions is found in Pt containing samples, in contrast to the high thermal stability shown for transition‐metal containing samples. It indicates that the Pt engenders the ‘‘loosening’’ of the diamond‐like matrix with a decrease in the energy barrier. These results are further confirmed by Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The obtained micro‐ and nanoscale surface images and observed transformation from sp3 to sp2 bonding provides new understanding of the fundamental structure of diamond‐like films.