Covalent adlayer growth on a diamond thin film surface

The surface of boron-doped diamond thin films can be modified by exposure to a strong oxidizing agent, resulting in the formation of -OH and =O terminated diamond. The -OH groups are reacted with an acid chloride to produce a covalently bound, modified diamond thin film surface. The demonstration of these reactions allows for the facile modification of diamond surfaces using techniques well established for oxide surfaces. Characterization of the covalently bound species shows submonolayer coverage, and time-resolved fluorescence measurements are reflective of the highly featured nature of the diamond film.