Surface nanostructuring of boron-doped diamond films and their electrochemical performance

Uniform and vertically aligned nanocone and nanopillar arrays were successfully constructed on heavily boron-doped nanocrysatlline diamond films by carrying out bias-assisted reactive ion etching in hydrogen/argon plasmas. The electrochemical properties of the nanostructured boron-doped diamond films were investigated by cyclic voltammetry using 1 mM [Fe(CN)6](3-/4-) as redox couple. Compared to the planar boron-doped nanocrystalline diamond film electrode, the surface nanostructuring of boron-doped diamond film electrodes demonstrate enhanced sensitivity due to their enlarged electro-active surface areas. The results indicated that boron-doped diamond nanocones and nanopillars are promising electrode materials which benefit to improve the efficiency, sensitivity and reproducibility of biomedical and chemical sensors.