Simultaneous formation of diamond-like carbon and carbon nitride films in the electrodeposition of an organic liquid

Diamond-like carbon (DLC) and carbon nitride (CNx) films have been simultaneously prepared on the cathode and the anode in the electrodeposition of an acetonitrile liquid at atmospheric pressure and temperatures below 80°C. The deposits were analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The deposits on the cathode were amorphous DLC films consisting of sp2 and sp3 carbon, while the deposits on the anode were CNx films in which the N/C ratio was about 0.25. The mixed phases of α-C3N4 and β-C3N4 may exist in the CNx films. The related reaction mechanism is also discussed in this Letter.