Fabrication of a hybrid structure of diamond nanopits infilled with a gold nanoparticle

Abstract

A hybrid structure of a gold-nanoparticle (Au-NP)/diamond-nanopit has been fabricated by using a simple procedure of oxygen plasma etching of a Au-coated single crystal diamond. The nanopit is of an inversely truncated pyramidal shaped, and is filled with a Au NP located at the bottom. The formation process is thoroughly investigated. It was found that the structure was induced by the interaction of oxygen plasma etching and the plasma enhancement effect of Au NP. Here, the Au NPs enhanced the etching process, which is completely different from the masking effect in the formation of diamond nanowires/rods. In addition, after the Au NPs were removed by soaking in aqua regia, the structure served as a structural template for fabricating pyramid-structured poly(dimethylsiloxane) sheets.