Hybrid diamond-graphite nanowires produced by microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition

Synthesis and characterization of new hybrid carbon nanostructures, produced by ultrananocrystalline diamond (UNCD) film deposition has been discussed. These nanostructures consisted of single-crystalline diamond cores, encapsulated in a graphitic shell of variable thickness. The UNCD films were deposited on Si substrates in a microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition (MPCVD) reactor in Ar/CH4/H2 and Ar/CH4/N 2 mixtures. As produced one-dimensional diamond-graphite nanostructures are of interest for the study of their physical and chemical properties, which can differ from those of bulk diamond and graphite. The conductive graphitic shells of these hybrid diamond-graphite nanowires make this material attractive for use in nanoelectronics.