Deposition of Ag-Ge alloy particles on the surface of diamond microcrystals

The modification of diamond crystals by metallic particles or films is an important step in the development of diamond-based composites and heterostructures. While the interaction of diamond with single metals is addressed in many studies, the formation of interfaces between diamond and binary alloys is much less investigated. In the present work, the deposition method of Ag-Ge alloy particles on the diamond surface was developed. The Ag-Ge particles were selectively deposited on the {100} facets of synthetic diamond micro- crystals. The essential step of the process is annealing of diamond/Ag-Ge (particles, films) in an oxygen- containing atmosphere at a temperature of 651 degrees C. The Ag-Ge particles showed morphological features different from those of the unalloyed silver particles deposited on the diamond surface under the same conditions. The Ag-Ge particles demonstrated a core-rim morphology, a germanium rim encircling a silver core. The morphology of the Ag-Ge alloy particles was independent of the formation route. The possible reason for the formation of particles of this morphology is discussed. This work contributes to an understanding of the features of the interaction of diamond with binary alloys.