@article{ART003342747},
author={Khan Mohd Sarim and Sasikumar C. and Srivastava Sanjay},
title={Enhanced anti-corrosion performance of copper doped diamond-like carbon thin films},
journal={Carbon Letters},
issn={1976-4251},
year={2026},
volume={36},
number={2},
pages={1029-1047},
doi={10.1007/s42823-026-01050-5}
TY - JOUR
AU - Khan Mohd Sarim
AU - Sasikumar C.
AU - Srivastava Sanjay
TI - Enhanced anti-corrosion performance of copper doped diamond-like carbon thin films
JO - Carbon Letters
PY - 2026
VL - 36
IS - 2
PB - Korean Carbon Society
SP - 1029
EP - 1047
SN - 1976-4251
AB - This work evaluated the microstructural, electrochemical and anti-corrosion properties of Cu-doped diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings deposited using the plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) technique. The coatings were synthesized with varying Cu concentrations (0.68, 2.25,10.28, 22.32, and 40.1 at.%) to investigate their effect on film characteristics. The structural and chemical composition of the coatings was analysed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The electrochemical performance was evaluated using open circuit potential (OCP), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and potentio dynamic polarization (PP) tests in a 3.5 wt% NaCl solution. The XPS and Raman analysis revealed that Cu incorporation altered the sp²/sp³ hybridization ratio, increasing graphitization at higher concentrations. The results demonstrated that DLC-Cu₂.₂₅ exhibited the lowest surface roughness (Ra = 7 nm), enhancing its corrosion resistance due to its dense, uniform structure and passivating CuO layer. The electrochemical results showed that the corrosion potential shifted towards a more noble direction (-640 mV), and the corrosion rate decreased to 0.003 mm/year, confirming improved stability. However, at higher Cu concentrations, Cu segregation led to increased roughness (Ra = 30 nm) and localized corrosion due to the formation of Cu-rich clusters. Incorporation of Cu improves the corrosion resistance of DLC coatings, although at higher Cu levels some corrosion still occurs. These findings highlight that moderate Cu incorporation optimally enhances protective performance, whereas excessive Cu content compromises corrosion resistance. A mechanistic description of the corrosion-resistance behaviour of Cu-DLC coatings is proposed.
KW - PECVD Diamond-like carbon (DLC) Corrosion resistance Hydrophobicity Coatings
DO - 10.1007/s42823-026-01050-5
ER -
Khan Mohd Sarim, Sasikumar C. and Srivastava Sanjay. (2026). Enhanced anti-corrosion performance of copper doped diamond-like carbon thin films. Carbon Letters, 36(2), 1029-1047.
Khan Mohd Sarim, Sasikumar C. and Srivastava Sanjay. 2026, "Enhanced anti-corrosion performance of copper doped diamond-like carbon thin films", Carbon Letters, vol.36, no.2 pp.1029-1047. Available from: doi:10.1007/s42823-026-01050-5
Khan Mohd Sarim, Sasikumar C., Srivastava Sanjay "Enhanced anti-corrosion performance of copper doped diamond-like carbon thin films" Carbon Letters 36.2 pp.1029-1047 (2026) : 1029.
Khan Mohd Sarim, Sasikumar C., Srivastava Sanjay. Enhanced anti-corrosion performance of copper doped diamond-like carbon thin films. 2026; 36(2), 1029-1047. Available from: doi:10.1007/s42823-026-01050-5
Khan Mohd Sarim, Sasikumar C. and Srivastava Sanjay. "Enhanced anti-corrosion performance of copper doped diamond-like carbon thin films" Carbon Letters 36, no.2 (2026) : 1029-1047.doi: 10.1007/s42823-026-01050-5
Khan Mohd Sarim; Sasikumar C.; Srivastava Sanjay. Enhanced anti-corrosion performance of copper doped diamond-like carbon thin films. Carbon Letters, 36(2), 1029-1047. doi: 10.1007/s42823-026-01050-5
Khan Mohd Sarim; Sasikumar C.; Srivastava Sanjay. Enhanced anti-corrosion performance of copper doped diamond-like carbon thin films. Carbon Letters. 2026; 36(2) 1029-1047. doi: 10.1007/s42823-026-01050-5
Khan Mohd Sarim, Sasikumar C., Srivastava Sanjay. Enhanced anti-corrosion performance of copper doped diamond-like carbon thin films. 2026; 36(2), 1029-1047. Available from: doi:10.1007/s42823-026-01050-5
Khan Mohd Sarim, Sasikumar C. and Srivastava Sanjay. "Enhanced anti-corrosion performance of copper doped diamond-like carbon thin films" Carbon Letters 36, no.2 (2026) : 1029-1047.doi: 10.1007/s42823-026-01050-5
