The Effects of Precursor C(2)H(2) Fraction on Microstructure and Properties of Amorphous Carbon Composite Films Containing Si and Ag Prepared by Magnetron Sputtering Deposition

Hydrogenated graphite-like carbon composite films containing silicon (Si) and silver (Ag) (g-C:H:Si:Ag) were prepared by middle frequency magnetron sputtering deposition in argon (Ar) and acetylene (C(2)H(2)) mixture gases. The effects of precursor C(2)H(2) fraction on the microstructure and properties were studied. The results of Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscope (XPS) revealed that the films were dominated by sp(2) carbon sites. It was observed from transmission electron microscope (TEM) that the films contained nanoparticles mainly consisting of Ag, and their size increased with the decrease in the C(2)H(2) fraction. Si was also found to aggregate in the areas where Ag nanoparticles formed in films with high Si content. The comparative studies on the frictional behaviors of films sliding against aluminum oxide were carried out in ambient air and saline solution. The g-C:H:Si:Ag films still exhibited outstanding frictional properties even when the test environment shifts from ambient air to saline solution.