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US 8,617,651 B2Granted
Low work function diamond surface and radiation energy converters using same
AssigneeThe University of Bristol
InventorsNeil Fox, Tomas Liam Martin, Kane Michael O'Donnell
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Abstract
A surface with a low work function is formed from a starting material of diamond or diamond-like carbon. An oxygenation treatment is performed, so that the surface of the diamond or diamond-like carbon is oxygenated. Lithium is then deposited onto the oxygenated surface by means of a physical vapour deposition process. Excess lithium is then removed to form a lithium monolayer.
Claims18
A method of forming a surface having a low work function, the method comprising:
- on a surface of diamond or diamond-like carbon, performing an oxygenation treatment to form an oxygenated surface;
- performing a physical vapour deposition of lithium onto the oxygenated surface;
- and
- washing the surface in water to remove excess lithium to form a lithium monolayer.
1 more element
A method of forming a surface having a low work function, the method comprising:
- forming an oxygen termination layer on a surface of a starting material, wherein the starting material is a carbon-containing material with sp3 bonding;
- treating the surface with a metal, wherein the metal is selected from the group comprising lithium and magnesium;
- wherein the step of treating the surface with the metal comprises depositing the metal, and subsequently removing excess metal by washing the surface in water such that the remaining metal forms a monolayer of metal atoms chemically bound to the oxygen termination layer over a substantial part of the surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.