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Hydrogen containing carbon (C:H) films have been prepared by ion beam deposition of 160 eV ethane ions on a carrier consisting of a Pt(111) single crystal surface covered with a monolayer of graphite. Several monolayers thick films deposited at 350 K contain hydrogen bound to sp, sp2, and sp3 hybridized carbon. Vibrational spectroscopy reveals that thermal D(H) atoms directed to the C:H film surface hydrogenate unsaturated CH groups at the surface and transform sp and sp2 hybridized carbon to sp3. The observed reaction mechanism explains the microscopic processes in chemical erosion of graphite by hydrogen atoms which is a crucial reaction step in the low pressure synthesis of diamondlike carbon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents information on a study which investigated the growth and thermal decomposition of ultrathin ion-beam deposited hydrogenated carbon films. Characteristics of film deposition; Experimental details; Results and discussion; Conclusions.

Investigates the mechanism of thermally activated chemical erosion of sputter-deposited carbon:hydrogen (C:H) films. Desorption of methane as gaseous products; Determination of C-CH bond breaking as rate limiting step of hydrocarbon production; Occurrence of CH[sub 3] radical desorption from the surface of the C:H films.