Nanocomposites and nanomaterials

Diamond-like carbon nanocomposites
Savkina R.K.1, Smirnov A. B.1, Grill R.2
1 V.Lashkaryov Institute of Semiconductor Physics, NAS of Ukraine, 41 Nauky av, Kyiv-03028, Ukraine. 
E-mail: rada.k.savkina@gmail.com
2 Institute of Physics, Charles University, Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Ke Karlovu 5, CZ-121 16 Prague 2, Czech Republic.

Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) coatings mechanical properties such as high hardness and low friction coefficient are now used in numerous industrial applications, including razor blades, magnetic hard discs, critical engine parts, mechanical face seals, scratch-resistant glasses, invasive and implantable medical devices and microelectromechanical systems. Besides, DLC films have strong tolerance for X-ray irradiation. They are characterized with IR transparency and chemical inertness. Thus, their superior properties can be tailored to meet the specific requirements of microelectronic applications.
Incorporation of selected elements into diamond-like carbon has emerged as an innovative approach to add unique functional properties to DLC coatings, thus opening up a range of new potential applications in fields as diverse as sensors, tribology, and biomaterials. DLC films that contain Ti show burning resistance [1] and those that contain Si show high resistance to oxidation [2]. In order to expand their area of application, metallic elements have been recently incorporated into DLC, giving way to a new generation of DLC nanocomposite coatings. Examples include Cu, Mo, Ag, Pt, W and Cr. 
In this work we present an overview on structure formation, optical and electrical properties of DLC based nanocomposites with embedded metallic nanoparticles. The influence of deposition mode and type of the metallic inclusions on the properties of composite structures are presented in relation to the application of the one.

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