Surface modification of amorphous carbon thin films by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition

Amorphous carbon thin film surfaces were successfully modified by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of nitrones, generated by the condensation of 4-(trifluoromethyl)benzaldehyde and N-methylhydroxylamine. Amorphous carbon thin films were deposited by electron cyclotron resonance sputtering and consisted of mainly sp2-hybridized carbon. The modification of amorphous carbon thin film surfaces with organic molecules was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman, and atomic force microscopy (AFM). F 1s, N 1s, and C 1s electron spectra revealed the existence of organic molecules on the surface of modified amorphous carbon thin films. The surface coverage increased with reaction temperature, reactant concentration, and reaction time. [Display omitted] •Amorphous carbon thin film surfaces were modified by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of nitrones.•The modification with organic molecules was confirmed by XPS, Raman, and AFM.•The surface coverage increased with temperature, reactant concentration, and time.•The organic molecules may serve as a starting point for further chemical modification.